July 12, 1956 – August 24, 2026
Gerald Allen Striegel
Gerald Allen Striegel, better known as Jerry, Dad, Pops, Striegs, or simply Coach, left us on August 24, 2026, at the age of 70, after a courageous 33-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born July 12, 1956, in Olympia, WA, Jerry spent a lifetime making an impact on the people and communities around him.
He leaves behind his wife of nearly 50 years, Kitty; daughter Sara; son Scott (Taryn); grandsons Kazen and Huxton; sister Norma (Mark); brothers George (Patty) and Dennis (Glenda); sister-in-law Sally; aunt Beverly Rupkalvis; numerous nieces and nephews; and a long list of friends who were never really just friends—they were family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Claude and Ida B. Striegel, and brothers Jay and Robert.
Rochester was home for most of Jerry’s life. He moved there from Littlerock in the second grade and eventually built a life centered around family, school, sports, and community. In retirement, Jerry and Kitty made a brief escape from the rain to the Tri-Cities before settling in Arlington for the final two years of his life.
Jerry was a natural athlete and a lifelong educator. He excelled in both throughout school and continued playing baseball at Centralia College and Western Washington University while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He later earned his Master’s Degree from Portland State University.
For 39 years, Jerry served the Rochester and Tenino school districts as a teacher and athletic director. But the title that fit him best was Coach. Coaching was never just about the scoreboard for Jerry. Sometimes he coached because he loved the game. Sometimes because someone needed to step up. But always, because he loved coaching kids.
Over the years, he coached basketball, football, tennis, softball, volleyball, and baseball at both the middle and high school levels. He led the 1986 Tenino Beavers to their only State championship and brought another first-place trophy home to Rochester with the Warriors in 2008. Even during his fight with cancer, Jerry continued doing what he loved, proudly coaching alongside his son Scott with the Arlington Eagles baseball teams in 2025 and 2026. In recent years, Jerry’s coaching was recognized by his induction into the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association, Centralia College, and Rochester and Tenino Athletic Halls of Fame.
Yet when asked about his coaching career, Jerry’s proudest memories were never just about championships. They were about the people—the players, families, coaches, and friendships.
When he wasn’t at school or on a field, Jerry was happiest with family and friends. He loved playing slo-pitch softball, beach trips, camping, hiking, biking, RVing, and traveling. He took great satisfaction in mowing his enormous yard and was always ready to take on whatever honey-do project Kitty had waiting for him. In his final two years, some of his most treasured moments came each morning when he walked Kazen and Huxton to the bus stop, giving them a little coaching about life along the way.
Jerry spent his life showing up—for his family, his students, his players, his friends, and his community. He taught, coached, encouraged, challenged, supported, and loved. His greatest legacy is not found in trophies or titles, but in the countless lives he touched and the friendships made along the way.
A Celebration of Life will be held September 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Rochester High School Gymnasium, 19800 Carper Rd SW, Rochester, WA.
Immediately following, we will gather at Swede Hall, 18543 Albany St SW, Rochester, WA, to raise a glass, share stories and memories, and celebrate a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers for the family, donations in Jerry’s honor can be made to: the , the Rochester or Tenino Athletic Booster Clubs.