Obituary of Roger Duane Wilson

Roger Duane Wilson October 8, 1938 – December 13, 2019 Roger was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Morris and Ruth Wilson, and spent the early years of his life there; years he would never stop talking about with his family. His family moved to Burien, Washington when he was 8, and in 1956 he graduated from Highline High School, where he was a letter winner in Track. While attending Central Washington State College, Roger married the love of his life, Lynn in June 1958. December 1959 they had their first daughter, Melode. Their only son Lanny was born in February 1961 before Roger graduated with a degree in Education in 1961. Roger was hired by the Issaquah School District in 1961 as an Elementary School Teacher and to be the first Issaquah High School Wrestling Coach. In December 1962, their second daughter Cara arrived, followed in August 1964 by their last daughter Tami, their family would be complete; this was Roger’s legacy; his family. Roger taught and coached Wrestling, Track, Football, and Powerlifting at Issaquah High School until 1999. His teams won many championships and he, himself collected several high honors; State Track Coach of the Year 1972, Washington State Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 1986 and National Wrestling Hall of Fame 2015. In 2001, Roger and Lynn moved to Shelton, WA, where Roger quickly began Coaching again at Shelton High School and Oakland Bay Junior High. He began mentoring young Coaches and young wrestlers, along with spending much time with his wife Lynn; traveling, gardening, doing woodwork and learning countless other skills, and enjoying the sweetness in life, including Lynn’s legendary baking. Roger never stopped learning new skills or sharing his passions. His love of bonsai began in 1978 when he started his prized Bonsai Tree. He liked to think of himself as Mr. Miagi (Karate Kid movie), always coaching, always passionate, always strong always giving.  Roger loved his family dearly and loved spending time with them, and talking with his cousins in Minnesota; his family was his great love.  His presence is greatly missed by all those individuals whose lives he touched,  throughout his years, our dear coach blessed our lives and lived a blessed life. Roger is survived by his wife Lynn, brothers; Clayton (wife Cathy) and Lyle (wife Nancy), daughters; Melode, Cara (husband Brad), Tami, son; Lanny (wife Joni), grandchildren; Michelle (husband Richard), Shane, Dana, Alexis, great-grandchildren; Corbin, Elijah, Lilyanna, Bentley and Gracie. Visit his National Wrestling Hall of Fame page for details on his Wrestling Coaching Career: http://bit.ly/2rIRNID Memorial Service March 14, 2020 – 1:00 pm Faith Lutheran Church 1212 Connection St Shelton, WA 98584