To the Editor,

I was saddened to hear of coach Don Schrack’s recent death. He was in my opinion a great teacher and coach. But above all, he was a loving, caring person.

I have many fond memories of the time spent with him in shop class and sports. I learned carpenter skills in which I still utilize today.

He also taught me when plan “A” goes awry go to plan “B”. When I was in eighth grade and a center on the football team, I came to school one day with a broken wrist in a cast. When I was telling Coach Schrack my wrist was broken and my football season was over, he merely responded with “you have two hands don’t you.” That season I didn’t miss a game. The message was loud and clear, when you encounter a road block find a way around it. Just don’t make excuses and don’t give up.

Even though Coach Schrack was a disciplinarian, I loved and respected him. He always returned the same respect and fairness.

I recall another time reporting to shop class with a serious burn on my ankle that was infected. Upon seeing it, he immediately applied first-aid and demonstrated much compassion until it was healed. He cared that day when nobody else was concerned for my health.

Coach Schrack was also pretty much a perfectionist. He set high standards and was displeased with anything less, which was another quality that has served me well, and one that I loved about him.

We don’t have many leaders like Coach Schrack in our society anymore, and it shows. Discipline has been pushed to the side of the road, and respect for one another is waning.

He is gone, but many of his teachings are still in practice today.

A former Tama student,

Ron Woodworth

Sherman, Texas