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Goodnight, Farm Dog, never goodbye

Posted in In memory, Softball, tagged CHS Wolves, Farm Dog, Hall of Fame, in memory, Stacie Farmer on September 15, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Stacie Farmer, during her days as a softball slugger. (Photos courtesy Farmer family)

Farm Dog, on top of the world.

Stacie Farmer turns 29 today.

And yes, I am aware that, in one sense, she has been gone for five years. In another sense, however, she never left us.

A tragic accident damaged her body, but Farm Dog held on long enough for her family to reach her side before she departed the physical earth 24 years to the day she first entered it.

Sept. 15, 1986 – Sept. 15, 2010.

Not long enough at all, and yet she did so much, accomplished so much, brought so much joy to those she loved, or those she met just for a moment, that she filled every one of her days to bursting.

In the five years since her passing, Stacie’s life has lived on, through her words and those of all who knew her.

Her Facebook page, left open by her family, has become a place for people to remember the young woman who bounced through life, dreadlocks swinging, transcendent smile touching every part of the horizon.

From her days as a softball slugger at Coupeville High School to the moments when she and her friends hung out at Miriam’s Espresso and Videoville — where I most frequently came into contact with her — to her times exploring the world, her open heart reaching out to touch all she encountered, Stacie was like no other.

She wasn’t perfect. No one is. But she made a solid run at it.

Stacie strode through life, unafraid, always up to a challenge, always looking for the good in others.

In the mountains, on the river, wherever she was found, Farm Dog was the one who reached out to others, brought others into her world.

She was only here for 24 years, but she spent her time well.

Each of us who had a chance to know Stacie have kept her memory alive in some way, through stories, through tears, through memories.

With Coupeville Sports, I have a small, but unique, way to make sure her name, her memory, her spirit, never fades.

Here on this blog we have a Hall o’ Fame (it’s at the top of the blog under the Legends tab), dedicated to the best that Coupeville has produced. Normally the induction ceremonies, twelve so far, happen each Sunday.

Today, on a day that has so much significance, I want to induct Stacie alone, for she was always in a class by herself.

For her days on the diamond, yes, but more, for her life and the way she chose to live it.

It is not much, admittedly, but it is at least a small way in which I can make sure she is always with us, is always remembered.

When someone goes through the list of honorees and asks “Who was Stacie Farmer? Why is she in your Hall?” it will keep the conversation alive. It will give us another chance to make sure her flame never flickers.

As it should be.

On this day, and every day, we say “Goodnight, Stacie.” Never “Goodbye Stacie.”

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“He wanted to make everyone succeed!!”

Posted in In memory, Softball, tagged Monica Vidoni, Softball, SW Falcons, Tim Collins on August 20, 2015| 3 Comments »

Monica Vidoni (red uniform) stands next to former South Whidbey High School softball coach Tim Collins. (Photo courtesy Vidoni)

Falcon. Wolf. Doesn’t matter in the end, as it’s one Whidbey.

News that South Whidbey High School softball coach Tim Collins had passed away suddenly at 66 reverberated across the Island.

The news hit home especially hard for former CHS player Monica Vidoni, who had left for college in Minnesota earlier in the week.

Vidoni played summer ball for Collins and had the following to say about her coach:

I knew Tim really well. He was very, very kind.

He was my coach last summer and he helped me become a better hitter in softball.

He used to pick me up for softball every week with his daughter.

If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t of hit that inside of the park grand slam. He adjusted my hitting and now I can hit better then ever.

He let me play first base every game.

He would take us to Jack in the Box after every game.

He invited me to open gyms for softball in South Whidbey.

Even though I was on the rival team, Tim still wanted to make me a better softball player, and that’s what he did.

Tim was and always will be one of my favorite coaches in my life time.

Tim has been such an inspiration to me. Tim always said the most positive things to me.

He wasn’t one of those coaches who got mad at you when you screwed up. He would always say “that’s okay, you’ll get it again next time.”

I first met him the summer of 2014. He needed people for his softball team and he asked if I wanted to play.

We were the combination of Burlington, South Whidbey, and me, the only Coupeville person.

We went 8-1 and we were the number one team.

While we were playing in the summer he adjusted my batting and I was hitting about .400. Then he invited me to come to open gyms for softball practice hitting.

He would always joke with me, telling me that I should bat with a broom because I used to sweep with my bat, he would say.

He was joking with me before a game one day that Mackenzee, his daughter, was gonna strike me out.

And I just laughed and said ” in her dreams” and she ended up striking me out in five pitches.

The smile on Tim’s face was huge and he was so happy.

He always took the time to help everyone out. Tim was a special coach. He wanted to make everyone succeed.

When softball season comes around this year I’ll always think of Tim.

My condolences go out to his family. I will miss you Tim.

You were such a goofball and you always made me laugh. I can’t wait till I get to see you again in heaven.

I will never, ever forget you.

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Always with us, never forgotten!!

Posted in In memory, tagged Amanda Gray, high heels, memorial service, Oklahoma on August 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Amanda Gray

Amanda Gray had more family than she knew.

Her actual blood relatives stretch across the country, but she also left behind a trail of friends everywhere she went.

Gray, who tragically passed away in her sleep July 5 in Oklahoma, was a bright, shining ball of joy who flickered across my life at a time when everything else was at their darkest.

Having left the video store I called a second home after 12+ years, I was struggling along in a business that became far more negative than it ever should have been.

As I worked 144 straight days, 10 hours a day, I got sick, stayed sick, got depressed, stayed depressed and began to seriously hate life.

One of the few respites during this time was Amanda, who worked at the law firm that sat above my prison.

When she would visit, whether to get a movie, buy some candy for her daughter, to pass on info from our mutually disliked boss, or just to say hi, she brightened my day.

Amanda Jo was classy, more than a bit sassy and quite willing to tell you exactly how she felt.

She was Hell on high heels (if you messed with her or her daughters) but fiercely loyal to those she liked, and even more so to those she loved.

Our paths crossed, then went in opposite directions when I finally escaped my dank prison and she headed home to Sooner country.

We were still Facebook friends, so I would see her photos pop up. Her daughters, her fiancee, her shoes.

So, so many shoes…

The news of her passing was like a blow to the heart. And it still is.

Her family held a memorial service last Saturday, and, for those of us who weren’t in Oklahoma, you can now watch that service online.

Take some time. It’s not an easy thing to watch, but you will come away feeling better afterwards.

Because it reminds you, for a moment again, of what an amazing woman she truly was, and will always be.

To view the memorial service, pop over to:

http://www.ladusauevans.com/book-of-memories/2195173/Gray-Amanda/obituary.php

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“You will be missed, brother”

Posted in In memory, Track, tagged CHS Wolves, in memory, Keaton Farris, Track on April 9, 2015| 2 Comments »

Keaton Farris

Keaton during his days as a CHS football player.

Keaton as a baby. (Photo courtesy Julie Williams)

I didn’t know Keaton Farris.

He ran track during his sophomore and junior seasons at Coupeville High School, twice winning events (http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=48438), but that time period (2006-2007) was a time when I was buried in working at David’s DVD Den and didn’t cover sports for a bit.

But I know 25 is too early for anyone to die (http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/299131961.html), and I know he leaves behind family, friends and classmates who remember him fondly.

The newspapers will report on the troubling circumstances of his death, because that’s what they do.

Coupeville Sports is a different beast, and what I am concerned with at the moment is giving all who knew Keaton a chance to remember their fallen friend.

Once a Wolf, always a Wolf. Never forgotten, no matter where life takes you.

This article is here to allow any who want to remember Farris to do so, with the promise that your words will be yours and I will not edit them to fit a storyline.

If you would like say something, send your thoughts to me here, at my Facebook page or at davidsvien@hotmail.com. Photos are also welcome.

I will continue to add anything I receive, and this will remain here on Coupeville Sports as long as the blog exists.

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Emma Puharic:

Aww, Keaton, I’m sorry, rest in peace.
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Chris Masters:

Thinking back, our circles did cross at a few places. I never got to know Keaton very well, but to the best of my knowledge, he had been a very respectable guy.

Another life too young lost, another light in our hearts fades away. From someone who didn’t even know you, you will be missed brother. Til next time.
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Ryan King:

It’s a sad day to hear about a loss of someone you once knew.

I played football with Keaton my last two years and he was a great guy. Very respectful and always knew how to have fun. Great athlete and a great friend, he will be missed.

Rest in peace Keaton Farris.
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Dustin Van Velkinburgh:

Had the pleasure of coaching Keaton. Always worked hard and smiled while doing it.
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Ken Stange:

I learned today that yet another former student’s life ended too soon.

Keaton Farris, I remember you from Junior English. Oh, how you hated my class!

You were also fun, personable, and energetic.

I also remember your passion for sports. You were a very fast runner in a class that had many speedsters.

Your smile lit up my room, which was extra impressive when considering that that room was much like a dungeon.

When you left for Lopez, that was the last we’d see of you.

Like so many from here, your life carried you away from Whidbey. It had been years and you’d slipped from my memory, but today your memory occupies my thoughts.

May your afterlife journey be peaceful. I hope that Dylan and Adam were there to greet you. Like you, they too possessed a way of making people smile and laugh.

Peace, Keaton.

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Clay Hughes:

It’s really makes me sad to hear about the passing of Keaton. The funny thing is I’ve been thinking about him all day and I can’t get a smile off my face! He had a gift for making people happy.

Keaton was fast!!

One time in a regional track meet at Kings High School Keaton and I were running in the 200m together. Keaton was staggered behind me at the start of the race and we both knew he was going to pass me by the end of the corner.

We had run together a lot…

When the race started and he went past me he was singing a song! He had me laughing in the middle of a race! Haha.

I will always remember the state track tournament with Keaton and even more so getting through the daily practices with him. He was largely the only reason I would crack a smile during track practice. The stories could go on and on.

The two times we ran into each other since high school, the last being New Years Eve night 2011 in Seattle, we were instantly great friends again the second we saw each other, even if years had gone by since we last spoke.

That was the gift of Keaton, he was everybody’s friend and someone everyone wanted to be around.

I knew I was going to run into you again Keaton and I was looking forward to it. It makes me deeply sad that that can’t happen anymore. Everyone would be better off taking a page or two out of your book. You won’t be forgotten brotha.

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Julie Williams:

Oh Keaton I am so sorry you are gone, I knew you as a baby and I watched you grow over the years, then I lost touch somewhere along the way but I always heard of how you were growing up into such a handsome, kind, loving young man.

I ran into you and your momma here and there and I saw pictures along the way of you becoming YOU, I was always so surprised at the resemblances I saw

At times I thought you were such a mini Freddy, other times you looked just like Louie, then those eyes of yours…stunning eyes, just like your mommas, the warmth and the sparkle that exploded into ones soul that makes you do nothing but smile, sometimes I looked at you and all I saw was your uncle Chad…those cheeks & so handsome funny, loving, your movement, your kindness, your words reminded me of your Uncle Crockett, and every time I saw one of these glorious people in you it brought back floods of memories of the good ol’ days I had with them and how awesome that I can call you and your family my dear friends.

We stayed at your Mom’s house a few years back and you so kindly gave us your room, you would come around here and there and I felt like I had been in the picture for years, you were so warm and welcoming, like I was part of your life.

My husband and you hit it off, he said you were a pretty awesome kid and he enjoyed the time he spent with you. I do hope I can find those pictures of you and him at the Galley along with many others with everybody smiling.

My heart is Heavy since the day I heard, I can’t even imagine how your mom, dad ….your family are feeling but I am praying and keeping all of them close in my heart and you too. All my love, Julie

You are free from this world Keaton watch over your family and friends.

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“We will all meet again”

Posted in Football, In memory, tagged Adam Garcia, CHS Wolves, Danny Savalza, football, Rhiannon Ellsworth on October 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »

CHS athletes and classmates (l to r) Mitch Pelroy, Rhiannon Ellsworth and Adam Garcia enjoy a moment together. (Photo courtesy Rhiannon Ellsworth)

CHS athletes and classmates (l to r) Mitch Pelroy, Rhiannon Ellsworth and Adam Garcia enjoy a happy moment together. (Photo courtesy Rhiannon Ellsworth)

He will not be forgotten.

Taken away from friends and family after a tragic murder in Oak Harbor, former Coupeville High School football player Adam Garcia will live on in their memories and through his beautiful young daughter.

The thoughts of some that knew him, in their own words:

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Rhiannon Ellsworth:

Adam was always good at football; that’s how I officially met him, I was on his football team.

He never really liked the fact that there was girls on the team but he was still nice and helped me when I needed it.

He didn’t have to know you or even like you very much, he’d still want you to have a good time.

He was rare; he could hang with the meanest crowd, but still have time to be good to people.

Adam welcomed me into his home and to his life at one point back then; I would have never thought a loving and good man like him would go so young.

He will be forever missed by family and friends, but we will all meet again … just not yet.

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Danny Savalza:

Adam was a great friend, teammate, young man and father.

On the gridiron we were both running backs. He worked hard and ran harder.

Off the field he always had your back, no matter what the circumstance or situation.

Always would greet me with a smile and a handshake.

Rest In Paradise Adam Garcia, you will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

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Tony Maggio:

Your coaches are heartbroken Adam Garcia.

Seems like yesterday we were talking about your baby, and how hard it was being a teenage father, but you were overcoming.