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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Football player, coach, Ferris teacher Tom Hedemark dies at 72

Tom Hedemark could be out hunting with friends when a football play from 30 years before would cross his mind.

“He had one of those minds,” said Dave Morton, whose life coincided with Hedemark’s on many levels.

Hedemark, a noted teacher and football coach whose playing days took him to the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, died Sunday at age 72.

Hedemark was born June 11, 1942, in Sioux City, Iowa, and his family moved to Spokane in 1954. He graduated in 1961 after helping North Central win the City League title.

Hedemark played junior college football in Pasco for Columbia Basin, which advanced to the Junior Rose Bowl in 1962, losing 20-0 to Santa Ana, California.

Hedemark, who could play defensive end, cornerback and place-kicker, continued his football as a receiver at Washington State University in 1964. He served as student assistant for coach Bert Clark’s 1965 “Cardiac Kids,” noted for their late-game heroics.

His playing days ended as a member of the 1968 Greater Northwest Football Association’s Spokane Shockers.

Hedemark began a 30-year career at Ferris High, where he taught history and coached football for two decades.

“Regardless of the sport, Tom encouraged kids to get involved in activities,” said John Thacker, who taught next door to Hedemark and coached baseball. “He made it a point to talk to nonfootball kids to find out how things were going in their sport.”

Morton, who played with Hedemark at Columbia Basin, said his hunting buddy was vocal but never degrading. He could also be funny, as evidenced by the day a player was not getting the message.

“He said, “My God, son, I’m trying to give you a million-dollar coaching job and you ain’t taking a nickel’s worth,’ ” Morton said.

“In terms of how he treated his colleagues, he never had a bad day,” Ferris athletic coordinator Stacey Ward said.

Hedemark is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilee; son Jim; daughter Julie Brockus; brother Peter; and sister Judy Barker.

“Dad had a profound impact on all the young men he coached,” Jim said. “Dad’s entire football family was very dear to our family.”

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Loudes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave.