Allan Joseph Goetz (70)

Allan was born June 11, 1947 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington, KY, to Urban and Ruth Goetz. After a long and progressive decline from a traumatic brain injury in July of 2011, Allan passed peacefully at his adult family home in Spokane Valley on December 30, 2017.

Allan graduated from Holy Cross High School (1965) in Covington, KY. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Allan received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Kentucky, where he met his late wife, Lois. Allan and Lois’s love for the beauty of the mountains brought them to Eastern Washington University where he earned a Masters of Arts in English. Before retiring in 2010, Allan spent 30 years as an English and reading teacher at Kellogg Middle and High Schools, as well an adjunct instructor at North Idaho College. He was not only a beloved and enthusiastic educator, but also a passionate and inspirational cross country and track coach for the district.

Allan was truly a unique individual who did not fit any molds. He had an infectious personality and a vibrancy for life that made him a mentor and friend to many. He enjoyed running, biking, the outdoors, cooking, traveling (especially to National Parks), poetry, and University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball. Throughout his life he has competed in numerous marathons across the country. Allan was most proud of raising his two daughters as a widowed father from the young ages of 2 and 5.

Allan is survived by his two daughters Krista Davis (and her husband Todd, residing in Cleveland, MS) and Gretchen Goetz (residing in Spokane, WA). He has one granddaughter, Zoey Davis. Allan is also survived by his brother Gary Goetz (and his wife Gloria) of Cincinnati, OH and nieces Gina Bowers and Kim Barnard, as well as numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Allan was preceded in death by his wife Lois, his parents, and brother James (Jim) Goetz.

Allan has wished his remains be scattered at Mount Rainer National Park. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a future date this summer in the Silver Valley as well as Cincinnati, OH. Further details will be announced closer to the celebration dates. The family would like to thank the owners and caregivers of At Home Again Adult Family Home who loved and cared for Allan as one of their own family members. In lieu of flowers, gifts, or cards the family would like donations to be made toward a memorial bench in his honor to be placed along one of his favorite running/biking routes:

https://www.youcaring.com/allanjgoetz-1057154.