MIKE
OKURA, Linfielder
Linfielder (Class of 1968)
Michael Tadashi “Mike” Okura (Jan 4, 1946-Jan. 17, 2012 at age 66) served 43
years at his alma mater, West Covina, Calif., High School (WCHS), where he was
an outstanding teacher and coach. He
started on the WCHS faculty in fall 1968.
As a WCHS student
(1959-1963), he excelled academically. His student activities included being
captain of the school's football and baseball teams. After graduating from WCHS
in 1963, he attended UCLA on a baseball scholarship, "but started to fall
behind in the large environment and transferred to Mount San Antonio College to
finish his general education.
"He transferred once again to Linfield ... in Oregon where he majored in English. During
his time at Linfield, Okura married his high school sweetheart, Diane Lilly.
Linfield became a huge part of Okura’s life. He still kept in touch with most
of his (Delta Psi Delta) fraternity brothers and has told his students
countless stories of the home he made at Linfield."
During his tenure as a WCHS
teacher, he taught English at all grade levels. He also taught math and social
science in his early teaching years. He coached baseball, football, wrestling,
tennis, and golf and held countless leadership roles.
Michael
Okura Memorial Baseball Field at WCHS honors him.
The West Covina Unified School District Board
approved naming the field for Mike on May 28, 2013.
The field (including scoreboard) was dedicated
Feb. 2, 2019. Two photos from dedication posted here. Link to video about the
dedication:
See "Stadiums, fields,
street, statue and more honor Linfielders"