Dorothy Lagasa Koon

Obituary Mrs. James Mack Koon Dorothy (Dody) Dempsey LaGasa Mrs. James Mack Koon, beloved wife and mother, and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James A. LaGasa, passed away on January 10, 2009. She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years (James Mack Koon), and their son Timothy Edward. She was the third daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. James LaGasa. Dody was born on September 20, 1920, in Tacoma. She attended Annie Wright Seminary, where she graduated in 1936 at the age of 15. She studied the violin during high school and played in an ensemble. While attending the University of Washington, she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Her activities on campus included being tennis champion of intramurals in 1936 and later of the UW. In 1936, she was runner-up in the Pacific Northwest sectionals and also won numerous titles throughout her years as a junior tennis player. In 1958 she re-activated the Bellarmine High School tennis team, and later served as coach. She taught her entire family how to play tennis. In 1966, they were named "Tennis Family of the Year" by the Pacific Northwest Tennis Association and the Pacific Region of the United States Tennis Association. She was a member and past president of the Junior League of Tacoma, and a member of the St. Charles Borromeo, after belonging to St. Patrick's Parish for 48 years. Dody was a member of Catholic Woman's Club, Lakewold Gardens, Dr. Edward A. Rich Orthopedic Guild, Tacoma Garden Club, the Native Garden at Point Defiance, and the Tacoma Art Museum. She also served on the board of trustees of Annie Wright School. She was a founding member and second chairman of the Holiday Cotillion, serving on the committee for 15 years. Dody was a strong supporter of United Good Neighbor, (a predecessor of United Way) and served as co-chair of the neighborhood division in 1973. She also served as coordinator of the St. Joseph Hospital Drive in 1967. Along with her husband, she was very active in the Daffodil Festival for many years, serving as a high school princess judge, and as First Lady of the Festival in 1973. She is survived by her three sons: James Mack Koon, Jr., Palmer D. Koon II, daughter-in-law Patty Ward Koon and grandchildren Kevin, Shannon, and Kelly, and Rod Koon, daughter-in-law Tracey Rudy Koon, and grandchildren Jessie and Kelsi. Dody is also survived by two great-grandchildren: Kaia (Kelly), and Roxy (Shannon and husband Chris Woods). The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Franke Tobey Jones, for the outstanding compassion and care that they have shown Dody over the last four years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any remembrances be made to the charity of your choice. Friends are invited to gather with the family for a reception celebrating Dody's life from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 24 at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.