Archie Clement McCallum III

Archie Clement McCallum III, beloved husband, father, friend, teacher and coach, passed away Thursday, June 2, at his home surrounded by his family, from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 84.

Archie was born Feb. 28, 1932, in Toppenish, to Blanche (Beth) Arland and Archie Clement McCallum Jr. When he was a small child, the family moved to Montesano, and Archie graduated from Montesano High School, where he is named a basketball hall of famer. He married Barbara Mousel in 1951 in Montesano.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his children, Steve and Diane McCallum of Longview, Sue Kiekhaefer of Tumwater and Terry and Jodie McCallum of Cle Elum; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, George McCallum of Everett.

Archie received his BA in education from Central Washington University and studied at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, prior to earning his Master’s in Education and Administration from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore.

He taught history for 17 years at North Thurston High School, where he was the head basketball coach, as well as a football and baseball coach. He is also a member of the North Thurston Hall of Fame. After North Thurston, he taught and coached in the early years of Timberline High School. During these years, he worked summers at the Olympia Brewery when he wasn’t taking courses to continue his education. Archie then spent 18 years as principal at Auburn High School where he retired in 1992. Following his retirement from Auburn, Archie spent time as the interim principal at Tahoma High School in Maple Valley and worked as a consultant for the Tumwater School District.

Archie, who many friends from Montesano affectionately called “Clem,” loved to fish, hunt and play golf, and he had a passion for all sports. He spent several summers as an Alaskan fishing guide and loved the many fishing and hunting trips he took with his sons, grandsons and friends. He enjoyed family trips to Disneyland and summers and holidays with the family at the cabin he built on Summit Lake. In retirement, he and wife Barb enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona, always looking forward to summers back in the Northwest with family. A favorite outing for Archie was a drive to Montesano and then a stop in Elma for a burger at Smitty’s.

Archie’s many students and the young athletes he coached will remember him for his inspiration. He loved to laugh, brought history alive for his students and taught his athletes to dig deep and work hard to realize their potential.

Memorial services will be held at the Church of God, 5005 Lacey Blvd SE, Lacey WA 98503, at 2:00pm on Sat, June 18.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.