It comes with deep sadness to announce that Herm Caviness passed away peacefully on Monday February 13, 2023 at age 88…

Herm Caviness

8/1/34 - 2/13/23

R.I.P. ❤️🙏🥀⚔️

Herman Lee Caviness, 88, of Spokane, Washington, passed away on February 13, 2023.

Herm was born on August 19, 1934, to Ernest and Edith Caviness in Henrietta, Oklahoma. When Herm was four years old, the family moved to Washington State, where his Dad found a job as a carpenter on the Grand Coulee Dam. He graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1951. He continued his education at Eastern Washington University, running on the track team, and graduating with a BA in Education in 1955 and a master's degree in 1968.

While earning money to pay for his education, Herm was a Power House Guide at the Grand Coulee Dam. He would take breaks by going to the Green Hut Café, where he met Jeraldine Bingham working at the souvenir shop. After a letter writing courtship, while Jeraldine attended BYU in Provo Utah, they became engaged. They were married on September 13, 1958, in the Community Church in Coulee Dam. They had four children, Sherri, Chris, Jeff and Michael. In 1973, their family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Herm and Jeraldine were married for 64 years.

As Herm began his teaching career, he taught in Coulee Dam, Quincy, and in Spokane, at Hamblen Elementary and Havermale Junior High. In 1963, he was selected to teach at the newly-opened Ferris High School. He taught physical education, history and world problems. He became the first track coach at Ferris and his teams became successful right away. That was a miracle because his teams always had to practice on a grass field, with lanes scored in the grass, because there was no track facility at the school! His record was 184 wins to 28 losses at dual track meets, 27 Greater Spokane League and District Championships, 1 State Boys Track Championship, 2 Washington State Boys Cross Country Championships, 8 Washington State Trophy teams, and coached 11 All-American Athletes - three to wear the uniform of the USA. Herm was the Washington State Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1983. He was inducted into the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994 and in the Washington State Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996. After retiring from teaching at Ferris in 1982, he continued his coaching career at North Central HS, at Rogers HS, and again at Ferris HS, coaching with his son Chris, at Mesa Prep HS coaching with his son Mike, and 7 years at West Valley High School. He continued to share his knowledge of the sport and athletes continued to excel. Herm's contribution to the sports he loved spanned over 60 years.

In 1957, Herm enlisted in the Washington Air National Guard, serving for 35 years and 9 months, retiring as a Colonel and the Deputy Commander of the 141st Combat Support Group. He had deployments to Anderson Air Force Base in Quam, and Moron Air Force Base in Spain. He had the opportunity to serve as project officer and master of ceremonies for the Air National Guard Band on their tour of the state of Washington in 1989. Colonel Caviness was called on special assignment to serve his country during the period of the Desert Storm conflict.

Herm became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1958 while in the Air National Guard Basic Training in San Antonio, Texas, which he always said was one of the greatest blessings in his life. He served in a variety of positions and responsibilities, the quiet service, home teacher, Bishop, Stake Executive Secretary and Sealer in the Spokane Washington Temple for 16 years. He and his wife, Jeraldine, served two Church-Service Missions in the Spokane Area. They also served a full-time mission to Ohio acting as guides at the Historic Kirtland sites, taking guests on tours and telling the story of the early Latter-day Saints living in that area in the 1830's.

Herm was preceded in death by each of his siblings, Bob, Ernie, Jim, Ray, Patsy, and Wally, and his son Chris in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Jeraldine, daughter Sherri (Roger) Bates, (Chris' Wife) Lara Caviness, Son Jeff (Linda), and Son Michael, 11 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren + two more expected in May.

May we express our gratitude for all the calls, texts, notes, cards, flowers and service to our family. You are invited to attend Herm's funeral on Saturday, February 25th at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1620 E. 29th Ave. Spokane, WA. Viewing will be from 9am-10am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Friends of Ferris, Caviness Scholarship Fund, Ferris H.S. 3020 E. 37th, Spokane, WA 99223; or to GoFundMe.com and search for the Coach Caviness Athletic Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was set up by the 1981 Girls Cross Country team who placed second in state that year, honoring their classmate Chris Caviness and their coach Herm Caviness.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Feb. 19, 2023.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spokesman/name/herman-caviness-obituary?id=47561423