“Coach” Jim Leierer’s memory, wisdom and corny jokes lived on at a recent remembrance ceremony.

Around 600 people gathered in South Whidbey High School’s gymnasium last Saturday to celebrate the life of Coach Jim Leierer, who died in June at the age of 92. Speeches by family members, friends, colleagues, teammates and former pupils illustrated Leierer as a man of strong faith who touched the lives of many.

“He’d say, ‘Life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent of what you make of it,” said Kevin Klopfenstein. “Just his influence, the strength that he had as a leader and example was hugely instrumental in my life as I made choices growing up.

“I think, from my experiences, I could sum Coach’s life up with just five short words: It was never about him.”

Leierer reached near-iconic status while coaching football for Langley and South Whidbey High School from 1953 to 1982. He also coached soccer, baseball, basketball, soccer and track and field, in addition to being a teacher.

An active church community member outside the sports realm, Leierer also led prayer walks around the schools of South Whidbey, taught Sunday school and held neighborhood Bible studies. Leierer also served in the Navy from 1944-1945, where he played football. He later played collegiately at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.

Those who spoke in front of the packed auditorium described the profound impacts Leierer had on them and how his guiding philosophies helped shape and define their lives. For some, Leierer served as a father figure that helped mend a void left open by broken homes. Others said he instilled in them a strong faith in God.

The speakers shared stories with common themes that echoed his strong spirituality, his personal resolve to draw the best out of those he interacted with, and his fun demeanor that included the telling of many corny jokes.

An activity early in the ceremony further illustrated the widespread impacts Leierer had on the lives around him. The audience was asked to stand if they could answer questions like whether they’d prayed with him, played for him or heard him tell a corny joke. By the end, about 90 percent of the room was standing.

In between segments of the ceremony, worship music was performed by representatives of local churches and included Scott Iverson, KK Iverson, Jeremy Iverson, Kathy Simmons, Roth Berry, Roy Berry and Will Cotterel.

Leierer’s family played an active role in the remembrance. His son, Steve, and daughters, Lowana Dunckel, Nanette Pierson and Charnell Bolger, shared their fondest memories of their father, which often showed Leierer’s goofier side, as well as the life lessons he instilled upon them. His wife of 64 years, Ildadeene, was also present.

“His positive attitude, his way of living was such an encouragement to me,” Dunckel said.

There were also stories of Leierer helping those around him.

Ski Mydynski said that when Leierer played an active role in Young Life, known as High Life at the time, he was an advocate for allowing kids to go to week-long camps to help further or build their relationships with God. When one boy was unable to leave his job on a garbage collection route, Leierer took over his route for a week, which allowed the boy to attend the camp.

Emotions were hard to contain for some of the speakers. During a solemn speech, Steve Orr, a Langley High School football standout who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1965, called Leierer the finest coach he played under, a list that included greats Tom Landry and Bum Phillips. Orr, who was paralyzed in 2004, said Leierer was by his side and played an active role in helping him walk again. Mick Heggenes, who played for Leierer when the Falcons went undefeated in 1969, was also emotional during his speech.

“It’s been an incredible privilege to have been associated with and near Coach all these years,” Heggenes said. “I do miss Coach so much, but I know one day we will be reunited.”

“And who knows, maybe he’ll have some new jokes by then.”