Brent Alan Wooten

Brent Alan Wooten “Wooter” passed away August 29, 2011 in Spokane after a lengthy illness at the age of 72. He was born in Anacortes in 1939 to Richard “Boots” and Thelma Wooten. They moved to Walla Walla from Anacortes early where he grew up with a basketball in one hand and a football in the other. While at Walla Walla High School (WaHi) he played in the state basketball tournament in 1955. During his senior year, 1957, as a running back and defensive back, they won the A.P. Balloting Poll for a state championship with an 8-0 record. Also that year he was selected to All-State football, basketball and track and was later inducted into WaHi’s School Athletic Hall of Fame. After high school he married Barbara Porter and together they had two girls, Debbie and Cindy, while at the same time starting his college football career at the University of Washington where he played half back and defensive back on the school’s 1960 and 1961 winning Rose Bowl teams, catching a touchdown pass in the 1960 game against #1 ranked Wisconsin for a 17-7 victory that gave the Huskies a national championship. The team was later inducted into the UW Hall of Fame. Brent graduated with a degree in Physical Education and later earned his Masters degree at the UW. After finishing his undergrad he was hired as assistant football coach at Columbia Basin Community College where his team played in the Junior Rose Bowl in 1962 with a record of 17-0-1. He then went on to Eastern as assistant football coach under Dave Holmes bringing with him a number of fine CBC transfers. Over the next five years their combined record was 34-13-1 and advanced to the NAIA national championship game in 1967 where the Savages finished with an 11-1 record. He became head coach and Athletic Director at Eastern from 1968-70. He also served as wrestling coach from 1963-68. Following his tenure in the athletic department, he remained at Eastern for more than 30 years as professor in the Health/Physical Education and Recreation department and also enjoyed serving as the director of intramurals. During this time he met Margaret Davies and they were married in 1990. Following his retirement in 1999, he became active in his Native American tribe serving as a Samish Tribal Council member working tirelessly to promote Samish educational initiatives and helping to establish educational scholarship funds for tribal members. Brent was known for his willingness to help any student in any situation to achieve their college educational goals. He will be remembered for his great, outgoing, friendly personality and his ability to meet people and get things done. He also expressed great love for his animals and most of all for Margaret and his family. Brent, you will be dearly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach and instructor. Brent was preceded in death by his father and mother and brother, Brian. He is survived by his loyal companion and wife Margaret, two daughters Debbie McCarson (Bill) of Sammamish, Wa., Cindy Fricke (Darren) of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, step son Jim of Spokane, Wa., four grandchildren Bryce, Curtis, John and Jenny and two great grandchildren Cody and Ethan, and two nephews Scott and Jeff Wooten. There will be a celebration of his life at the Holiday Inn Express in Cheney on Friday, September 9th, 2011 from 2-6pm. Hotel accommodations available 509-235-1100. Ask for Wooten discount. Memorial contributions can be made to SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service.)

Brent Alan Wooten

January 25, 1939 - August 29, 2011