Mitch Hecomovich Jr.
Mitchi Joseph Hecomovich Jr. was born Sept. 16, 1914 in Taconite, Minn., to Mitchi Joseph Hecomovich and Helen Mazar Hecomovich. He was the third of seven children.
Mitch's early schooling consisted of Marble Grade School, then his first two years of high school at Alcott High, then eight miles away to Greenway High School at Coleraine, Minn., where he was an outstanding athlete and graduated in 1933. He worked in the iron mines to earn enough money for two years at Itasca College and he also played a lot of basketball.
His sports career started at the age of 12 playing "Legion Baseball". He also played basketball and ran track in high school. He went on a basketball and baseball scholarship to Connecticut State for one season. Mitch was approached by the St. Louis Cardinals and they offered him everything if he'd go, but he had already signed a contract with the Winnipeg Maroons for the summer of 1937. It was in Winnipeg that he injured his knee sliding to second. Mitch then went back to the University of Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
In 1942, he was declared 4-F at the Army enlistment center because of his knee, but the Navy accepted him and made him physical fitness instructor with the rank of CPO. Then he was off to Gunnery School and active duty in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean on the converted Liberty Ships. His last active duty was in Bremerton, where he left the Navy in 1946. He stayed and played professional baseball in Bremerton. After the season, he was heading home and stopped in Spokane for a career fair. Hayes Holman, Supt. of Schools in White Salmon, offered him a job teaching history and physical education.
Mitch taught in White Salmon from 1946 to 1955, in Glenwood from 1957 to 1964 and came back to White Salmon in 1965, where he remained until his retirement in 1977. During Mitch's teaching career he coached football, basketball and baseball. When he wasn't coaching or teaching he enjoyed officiating. He was inducted into the Washington Officiating Association Hall of Fame in 2004.
During the late 1940's while coaching his future brothers-in-law he met their sister, Olga Jane Kreps, who was a nurse in White Salmon. They were married Aug. 30, 1951, at the ranch house in Gilmer. They spent a lot of hours helping the Kreps Ranch and Kayser Ranch.
Throughout their 57 years of marriage, Mitch and OJ enjoyed spending time with their nieces and nephews, attending athletic events, and doing whatever was needed to help their community.
They loved square dancing, ballroom dancing and took great pride in gardening. Mitch had many altercations with deer that continue to annoy OJ to this day.
Mitch was also actively involved with the Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, The Elks, The American Legion, The Washington Officiating Association, Retired Teacher's Association, Square Dancing President, Washington Cattlemen's Association, The University of Minnesota Alumni Association and The Itasca Community College Alumni Association. In 1999 they named and dedicated the baseball field (Hec field) in Mitch's honor. Recently, Mitch and OJ established the Hecomovich Endowment Fund, which benefits athletic programs in the White Salmon Valley School District.
His three brothers and three sisters preceded Mitch in death.
His wife, OJ Hecomovich and 20 nieces and nephews survive him.
In Mitch's 94 years he has accomplished much more than what was summarized here. He has left his mark on this community that will never be forgotten. Hopefully, those he taught and coached will carry on Mitch's generosity toward the community.
A funeral service will be held Wed., Mar. 4 at 5 p.m. in the Columbia High School gymnasium.
