Ray Warren Haack

Ray Warren Haack I., 96, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2016 in Stevensville at the Hanson Hospice Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A family memorial service will take place at a later date. Those wishing to share a memory of Coach Haack online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Ray was born December 9, 1919 on the family farm in Blumfield Township, Mich. to Ben & Emma (Schnettler) Haack. He was graduated from Saginaw Eastern High School in 1937 and Central Michigan University in 1941. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. On June 21, 1941, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. he was married to Esther Hoover, with whom he recently celebrated 75 years of marriage. He began his career as teacher and coach at Reese High School before the war and was employed by St. Joseph High School from 1946-1986. He was varsity basketball coach from 1951-1966, compiling a 198-86 record and winning Class B state championships in 1951 and 1953. In 1955 he began the St. Joseph elementary school basketball program which continues today. In 2007 he was elected to the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Ray is survived by his wife Esther; three sons: Craig of St. Joseph, Brian (Betty) of Sister Lakes, Christopher (Victoria) of Arden; two daughters: Carole Fowler and Sally (David) Durr, both of St. Joseph; 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. Ray was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.