John Lawrence Scanlin

Obituary John Scanlin Teacher, coach and business leader, 55 John Scanlin, beloved father, husband, coach, teacher and businessman died on March 17, 2008 of complications from ALS ("Lou Gehrig's Disease") in Tacoma, Washington. Born on January 20, 1953 in Chandler, AZ. John is survived by his parents, John and Ann Scanlin Sr. (Gig Harbor, WA), wife April, children Allison, Erin, and John (Gig Harbor), sister Joanne Sullivan (Fox Island, WA). John lived most of his youth in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, CA. He graduated in 1971 from Bishop Montgomery High School (Torrance) where he excelled both in academics and athletics. He attended Loyola Marymount University (BA'75) in Los Angeles where he played on the University's last coaching football team. Over the next 25 years, John's professional career was a unique combination of teaching, coaching football, and operating his own State Farm Insurance agency near his residence in Hermosa Beach, CA. He married April Gentry in 1982. In 1993, John and his family relocated to Fox Island, WA. He opened a State Farm agency in Tacoma. Over the years he was active in the Loyola, Los Angeles, and Tacoma Rugby Clubs; Hermosa Beach Rotary and Bellarmine Boosters. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been established in John's name to encourage graduates to pursue careers as teachers and coaches at Bishop Montgomery High School. Donation to the scholarship fund can be sent to Bishop Montgomery Development Office, 5430 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503. For more information visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnscanlin. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, (253) 572-6003.