Jack Bafus

Jack George Bafus

Jack George Bafus died at home on June 7, 2013, at the age of 89 years. He was born on October 12, 1923 to John (Jack) Bafus and Julia (Litzenberger) Bafus in St. Maries, Idaho. His father and paternal grandparents, George R. and Katherine (Lust) Bafus, were Volga-Germans from Saratov, Russia, and his maternal grandparents were also Volga-Germans. Both sets of grandparents immigrated to Whitman County, WA in about 1898 and the Bafus family settled in Endicott, WA. Jack attended Martha Washington Grade School in Colfax, WA, and commenced his teaching career in the 6th grade there. He graduated from high school in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1941, and worked with his father in construction at Farragut, Idaho. In the fall of 1941 he enrolled at Washington State College. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1942. He was on a ship heading to the invasion of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped and then became part of the occupation force. He was discharged on May 6, 1947. Thereafter, he continued his education at NIJC, Coeur d'Alene. He later received his teaching degree from EWSC, Cheney, WA in 1951. Jack also taught and coached basketball at Colfax High School. In 1960 he was a teacher and coached basketball at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, WA. After his marriage in 1962 to Venita (Houk) Bafus, they both taught in the Pasco, WA School District and he was the head baseball coach at Pasco High School. He started the baseball program at the "new" Spokane Falls Community College in 1965 and retired as its Athletic Director in October 1979. He was most proud of the athletic facilities that he was involved in the planning and construction of, the baseball field, tennis courts, stadium, and football program. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and his brother, James M. Bafus. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Venita, an aunt, Frieda Bafus, Pendleton, OR, and nephew, Mark Bafus (Julie) of Kennewick, WA.

BAFUS, Jack Jack George Bafus died at home on June 7, 2013, at the age of 89 years. He was born on October 12, 1923 to John (Jack) Bafus and Julia (Litzenberger) Bafus in St. Maries, Idaho. His father and paternal grandparents, George R. and Katherine (Lust) Bafus, were Volga-Germans from Saratov, Russia, and his maternal grandparents were also Volga-Germans. Both sets of grandparents immigrated to Whitman County, WA in about 1898 and the Bafus family settled in Endicott, WA. Jack attended Martha Washington Grade School in Colfax, WA, and commenced his teaching career in the 6th grade there. He graduated from high school in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1941, and worked with his father in construction at Farragut, Idaho. In the fall of 1941 he enrolled at Washington State College. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1942. He was on a ship heading to the invasion of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped and then became part of the occupation force. He was discharged on May 6, 1947. Thereafter, he continued his education at NIJC, Coeur d'Alene. He later received his teaching degree from EWSC, Cheney, WA in 1951. Jack also taught and coached basketball at Colfax High School. In 1960 he was a teacher and coached basketball at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, WA. After his marriage in 1962 to Venita (Houk) Bafus, they both taught in the Pasco, WA School District and he was the head baseball coach at Pasco High School. He started the baseball program at the "new" Spokane Falls Community College in 1965 and retired as its Athletic Director in October 1979. He was most proud of the athletic facilities that he was involved in the planning and construction of, the baseball field, tennis courts, stadium, and football program. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and his brother, James M. Bafus. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Venita, an aunt, Frieda Bafus, Pendleton, OR, and nephew, Mark Bafus (Julie) of Kennewick, WA. At his request, no service will be held. Contributions may be made in his name to Operation Spokane Heroes, Greater Spokane, Inc., 801 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201 or the .
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/Spokesman/obituary.aspx?pid=165332898#sthash.pUl8Wyaf.dpuf