Teacher/coach, Proctor to retire

Gordon Proctor will wrap up some 40 years as a teacher when the last school bell rings on June 12.

He arrived here in 1978, along with his wife Kathy, after teaching five years in Oregon, and completes 35 years of continuous service at Lake Roosevelt High School as a coach, health and physical education instructor. Kathy, after a short stint as a substitute teacher, has taught at Lake Roosevelt for the same period.

The community will have an opportunity to thank Proctor for all he has done for young people on June 12, when his peers have a special reception for him at the Ridge Riders Rodeo Grounds.

The reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited.

The Proctors have three children, all graduates of Lake Roosevelt.

Shane, currently a professional bull rider, was world champion in 2011. Kaycee is a middle school teacher in Umatilla, Ore., and follows in her father’s footsteps, coaching track.

Cody is a reporter for a television station in Great Falls, Mont.

“Everything Gordon does is at a championship level,” says Principal Brad Wilson. “He is a friend, mentor and a benefit to kids at the highest level.”

In fact, Wilson has been so impressed with Proctor that he has nominated him for induction into the Washington State Track & Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Wilson has worked with Proctor since coming to the district 11 years ago.

“Without a doubt, Gordon is the most accomplished head coach in the history of Lake Roosevelt High School,” Wilson stated.

In Proctor’s 30 years as head track coach he has led his team to the 1992 State A championship, five District 6 1-A championships, three state A top four finishes, 19 individual state champions, and 129 state placers.

The 1992 state championship team is the only one in the history of Lake Roosevelt.

In addition to his team and individual members being recognized, Proctor has been named Caribou Trail “coach of the year” on a number of occasions. Also a number of Proctor’s athletes have gone on to distinguish themselves at the collegiate level, with one going on to All American honors at Whitworth.

Proctor has also coached football both at the middle school and high school levels.

He also has served as the Washington State High School Rodeo Association president.

“Whatever involvement Gordon has with kids is positive,” Wilson said. “He has consistently challenged our students and his teams to push themselves and others.”

That’s high praise coming from Wilson, who has had outstanding success himself as a head coach at Lake Roosevelt High School.