Daniel Der Hovanesian

Okemos, MI--One of central Michigan's most celebrated high school coaches, Daniel "Dan" Hovanesian, 92, of Okemos, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Riverwind Assisted Living facility in Williamston. He was born December 6, 1923 in Detroit, MI, the son of Charles and Marnos (DerKoorkanian) Hovanesian. Dan served in the anti-aircraft infantry the U.S. Army during WWII, having fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in Northern Africa. Dan was best known for an illustrious coaching career with the Holt High School Ram's boy’s basketball team from 1953 to 1979, where his career record of 348 wins and 165 losses is celebrated still today. Dan led his teams to numerous district, regional, and quarterfinal titles and to the state finals in 1974. Dan was admitted to the Basketball Coaches of Michigan Hall of Fame in 1993. Said Walt Pawlowski, Holt athletic director in 1979, "I don't know of a coach who has been more dedicated and who has done as much for a school and community as Dan Hovanesian." He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and brother-in-law, Isabel (Arthur) Redman; one brother, Joseph Hovanesian. Surviving are his niece, Mary Ann Johnson and her son, Brian Johnson; nephew, John Hovanesian and his family. Funeral services remembering Dan’s life will be held at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., on Monday, December 28, 2015, at 11:00 AM. Private interment will take place at Glendale Cemetery The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, December 27, 2015 from 5 to 7pm and on Monday for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Dan may be made to the Holt High School Athletic Department, c/o Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823. Online condolences and memories of Dan may be left at www.greastlansing.com. The last three years of Dan’s life were spent at the Riverwind Assisted Living in Williamston, where Dan's family has been enormously grateful for the loving, caring environment they have shown to the "coach" during his stay.