Gary Moore, a former Issaquah High School football coach, died of a sudden stroke Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. He was 68.

Born in Tacoma in 1940, Moore was raised in Puyallup. He graduated from Franklin Pierce High School and Western Washington University, where he played football all four years.

He spent his entire career as a high school teacher and head football coach at IHS, where he earned a 137-72-3 record with three league championships, four playoff appearances and a 1980 King Bowl appearance, at which his team won second in state. Moore was honored as state Coach of the Year in 1984 by the National High School Coaches Association.

He began teaching at Issaquah Junior High in 1963 retired 39 years later in June of 2002, Issaquah School District officials said. During his time with the district, Moore was a special education teacher, PE teacher, traffic safety teacher, and IHS head football coach for almost 28 years.

He was known for his devotion to family and his love of golf and travel. He particularly loved spending time with his four grandchildren.

Moore was an active member of Rainier View Christian Church in Parkland.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Lou; his mother, Phyllis Moore; sister, Sharron (Pete); daughter, Trisha (Stacy); son, Chris (Alicia); grandchildren Tanner, Conner, Corbin, and Molly; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family members suggest donations to the “WWU Foundation in memory of Gary Moore,” 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9034 or online at www.wwu.edu/give. A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 at Rainier View Christian Church, 12305 Spanaway Loop Road South, Tacoma 98444.