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Mitchell (Mike) George Kekich, went peacefully to our Lord on Thursday, November 6, 2008. He was born on February 4, 1927, in Butte, Montana, the son of George and Thelma Kekich. Mike was a larger than life individual, where he touched so many lives by being a sailor, teacher, coach, mentor, friend, world traveler, wonderful father and husband. Raised in the mountain back country of Western Montana; his surroundings included cowboys, lumberjacks, and attending and living in a one room log cabin school house, where his mother was the teacher. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 where his first tour of duty during World War II, was on the USS Medussa. He saw South Pacific action and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign and the American Campaign Medals. After mustering out, he enrolled in the University of Montana for studies in Education from 1945 until his graduation in 1951. He re-enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Stephen Potter, where he had stations in Cuba, England, and the Mediterranean. Mike began his first teaching job in 1951, in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. He adopted some of the local culture when teaching and coaching and was highly respected in the Indian nation. He left Browning in 1954 to start a new teaching career in California. Traveling to Mojave, California, Kekich, Kuster and Kelly (The 3 K's) brought music, athletics and a new administration to a small high school in the desert, north of Los Angeles. As the Athletic Director and the coach of the football and baseball teams, Mike brought new standards and standings to the athletic programs of Mojave High School. This endeavor, however, was no greater than his passion for teaching history. Always a favorite to his history students, he made them feel as though they were truly engaged in historical events and far away geographical places. After eight inspiring and exciting years in Mojave, Mike and his family moved to the big cities of the Los Angeles basin. He began teaching and coaching at Bellflower High School. From 1962 through 1986, besides maintaining his standards for educational excellence; Mike achieved numerous athletic successes and sincere gratification with a number of his players ascending to the ranks of professionals. Relationships made during all of his years of teaching and coaching have been maintained to the time of his passing. Throughout his life, Mike was associated with, contributed to and cared about numerous issues, organizations and causes. Finding the religion of his ancestral heritage mid-life, he became very active with the Serbian Orthodox Church, belonging to St. Peter of Cetinje Church in Los Angeles, CA, and directing the Children's Serbian Youth Camp, in Jackson, California. He directed and counseled the children of the St. Sava Serbian Camp for eleven years. Other organizations include but not limited to, the Elk's Club and American Legion Posts in several states. Favorite organizations for contributions were Boy Scouts of America, the NRA, the Salvation Army, and a few others he supported for many years. Coinciding with his love of history and geography, his hobby was world travel. He and wife, Betsy, occasionally joined by family and friends, saw the world by cruise ship, guided tours, and individually sought destinations. In all, they traveled to 52 different countries around the globe. Fortunately, though late in life, a trip to Montenegro allowed them the discovery of unknown relatives and places of ancestral history. As a highlight of their travels, he was able to open and establish new avenues of communication for the whole Kekich family. Since 2005, Mike and Betsy have attended the USS Stephen Potter's Naval Reunions, most recently they were together in September of this year in Buffalo, NY. Other reunions were held in Branson, San Francisco, and Savannah. This indeed has been a great comfort in being able to reunite with shipmates of the "Greatest Generation". Mike was preceded in death by his father, George; mother, Thelma; his sister, Jean; and his granddaughter, Amanda K. Kekich. Mike is survived by his wife, Betsy Kekich of Albuquerque, NM; his sons, Michael Kekich and wife, Michelle of Albuquerque, NM, Brian Kekich and wife, Janet of Missoula, MT, Steven Kekich and wife, Nanette of Buena Park, CA; daughters, Kim Milosevich of Rio Rancho, NM, Denise Meek and husband, Jim of Rio Rancho, NM; grandchildren, Kristen Kekich of San Francisco, CA, Stacey Smith and husband, Mike of Missoula, MT, Reagen Dearstone and husband, Larry of Dubuque, IA, Morgan Nichole Kekich of Albuquerque, NM, Risto Milosevich of Rio Rancho, NM, Jake Brown of Phoenix, AZ, and Jovan Milosevich of Rio Rancho, NM; great- grandchildren, Kathrine Leddy, Nathaniel Smith, Adrienne Leddy, Timothy Smith, Ivy Dearstone, and Toby Dearstone; other surviving relatives include niece, Anita Berns of Parker, AZ; and her children, Danny and Rhonda and their families. Mike is also survived by many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews of various locations throughout England, and the surviving family members in Montenegro. Flowers or contributions may be sent to: Amanda Kekich Memorial Children's Fund,112 Rolling Green Place,Missoula, MT 59803, All Saints of North America Orthodox Church, 10440 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87114, or Boy Scouts of America Great Southwest Council, 5841 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, http://www.gswcbsa.org. A Visitation will be held Friday, November 14, 2008, at 10:00 AM with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 AM; both will be held at Daniels Family Funeral Services- Sara Chapel, 4310 Sara Road SE. Interment will follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Funeral Services are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 505-892-9920 www.danielsfuneral.com
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