Tracy Bruce Walters

December 23, 1930 – July 27, 2024

“You are beautiful, Spokane!”

Tracy Walters, the man behind the booming voice that greeted Bloomsday finishers for decades, coached Olympic athletes, counseled troubled teens, delighted children on orchard tours and treated every stranger as a friend, passed away peacefully in his home on July 27th.

Known for his unbridled enthusiasm, audacious vision and unconditional love for those around him, Tracy found success in many arenas. In 93 years, he packed several lifetimes worth of ventures that profoundly impacted thousands of area residents.

Tracy attended North Central High School where he played basketball on the school’s first state championship team in 1948. As a senior he discovered a talent for distance running. More importantly, he found the love of his life, Leta Fae Cook, whom he married in 1951.

The newlyweds moved into Eastern’s “Trailerville” college housing. They started a family while Tracy pursued a science education degree and placed nationally in the mile. An injury ended his senior season, but opened an even bigger door when student-athlete Tracy became the acting coach.

It was his first taste of a coaching career that would begin in little Endicott, Washington, with an undefeated baseball team and end back at North Central 60 years later where “Grandpa Coach” assisted in a spectacular run of cross country and track state championships.

In between, were stints turning Rogers High School into a cross country and state power, coaching San Jose State, the U.S. Team and Olympians Gerry Lindgren, Lee Evans and Don Kardong. Wherever he went, success quickly followed. Though continually learning and innovating, his coaching gift was less about technique, and far more about exuberance, delight and unwavering belief in the unique potential of each athlete. His legendary voice had a way of carrying all the way across the track as well as reaching the heart.

While still at Rogers he became a school counselor and found great joy in guiding struggling teens. In contrast, his assignment of coaching and teaching PE at San Jose State felt hollow.

After one year, Tracy left the college coaching scene behind, returning to school counseling in Spokane.

The summer of ‘68 opened an opportunity to apply his passion and skill to what would become he and Leta’s most rewarding endeavor - rejuvenating the YMCA’s Camp Reed.

Here was a chance to inspire his staff to pour out the same enthusiasm and personal attention he had with coaching. A unique spirit of love, joy and belonging was established, deeply impacting thousands of kids, including his own.

Tracy even raised scholarships to bring children from Hutton Settlement and Morning Star Boys Ranch. He led the camp for 4 years and then passed the baton to his counselors who served as directors for two more decades.

Tracy and Leta’s final career venture involved turning a broken-down orchard into the Walters’ Fruit Ranch experience - complete with live music, homemade pies and the “Fruit Loop Express”. They developed educational tours, drawing countless busloads of kids every year. Many Spokane residents have fond memories of singing “Farmer Walters had a farm…” and watching this 60-year-old man, with 6-year-old energy, buzz around like a bee.

Despite his public success, Tracy never lost sight of what was most important. A close brush with death in a tractor accident at 52 led to a profound spiritual encounter and transformation. His last 40 years were grounded in growing his renewed faith in Christ and devoting himself to Whitworth church, mission and family.

Tracy adored his bride, Leta. In all of their adventures they worked as a team. They were inseparable for 71 years and the older she got, the more he would tell people how beautiful she was.

He and Leta packed their later years with the concerts, sporting events and birthdays of their 12 grandchildren, often following it up with a phone call later that evening. The talk would begin with how “amazing” the kid was but would usually end with Grandpa asking, “Guess what?” The grandchild would know to reply, “You love me!”, as if it was the most obvious thing in the universe.

Tracy Walters excelled at many things, but love was the invisible force that drove it all.

Tracy is now reunited with Leta; son Marc; and parents, Frank and Kathryn. He is survived by sister, Sue Overstreet; Marc’s spouse, Kathy Walters Hite (Bernie); sons, Scott (Laurie), Kelly (Diana); daughter, Malinda Uhlenkott (Jim); honorary “eldest son”, Steven Jones; 12 grandchildren; and an ever-expanding set of great-grandchildren.

His service, “The Tracy Walters Invite”, will be held Sunday, September 8th, 3:00 PM, Life Center Church, 1202 N Government Way, Spokane. Optional attire welcomed: T-shirts related to Tracy’s legacy such as Bloomsday, Camp Reed, Green Bluff, local sport teams, etc.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations can be made to the YMCA Camp Reed, John R Rogers Friends and Family Foundation or the Tracy Walters Coaching Scholarship at North Central High School.