Corwin Likins

Corwin Hale Likins "Coach" Likins 9/12/1920 ~ 3/13/ 2011 SALT LAKE CITY - It is with great sadness and respect that the passing of a wonderful man is conveyed by his family. Corwin Hale "Coach" Likins was a beloved husband, the loving father of five children, a very special grandpa of seven and the great grandfather of three. He left us peacefully on a beautiful Sunday spring evening with memories of family in his heart, several family members at his side and Molly his terrier on his bed. He was 90. Corwin Hale Likins was born on September 12, 1920 in Monte Vista, Colorado to Floyd Byran Likins and Etta Smetters Likins. He attended Sargent High School in MonteVista, CO. He graduated from the Barnes School of Business in Denver, and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, CO where he affiliated with the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Dad met Virginia Snyder "Peachy" Likins at the University in Boulder where she was a Chi Omega. He was smitten but had to outmaneuver other suitors to win her hand in marriage. With the outbreak of hostilities of World War II, dad enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During the war father became a Lieutenant Colonel in Army Air Corps flying B-17s and B-29s and was promoted to flight instructor in Dalhart, Texas. He completed his college studies at the University of Utah after the war with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Dad married Peachy Likins on March 14, 1943. They were happily married for 64 years. Their wedding took place after Pearl Harbor, and she followed Corwin on a government troop train to Texas for their honeymoon in Texas. This was to be the pattern of their married life as dad was a mining executive. They moved with their family multiple times to Pioche, Nevada; Bauer, Utah; Guatemala; Casper, Wyoming; Faro, Yukon Territory, Canada; Hope, British Columbia, Canada; and Salt Lake City, Utah. As a mining executive, tours of duties in these mostly exotic locations for him and his family went with the job. In all of these places, dad and mom made a loving warm home for their five children. He was a dedicated civic leader and President of the Panaca (Lincoln County, NV) school board for five years. In Pioche, NV he became a member of the Masonic Order, St. John's Lodge #18 and was recently awarded with his 50 year pin. He was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron. In addition he was active in the International Order of Jobs' Daughters in SLC, UT serving as the Guardian for Bethel 7. Continuing his brotherly love of Masonry, father became a Shriner with the Grand Lodge of A.F. &A.M. of Wyoming. He was "Coach" Likins for as long as anyone can remember. He coached his two sons' Sugarhouse football team, the First Congregational Church basketball team, and the Southeast League baseball team for ten years. There are many grown men in the Salt Lake Valley and beyond that received their initial love of sports under the guidance of Coach Likins. He was a member of the First Congregational Church on Foothill Boulevard, Salt Lake City. Corwin is survived by his five children: Marie (Bruce) Kotter of Ogden, UT; Susan (William) Trevithick of Salt Lake City, UT; Marilyn (John Erlacher) Likins of Salt Lake City, UT; John (Laura) Likins of Lander, WY; David Likins (Chris Bridges) of Dallas, TX and a very special family relationship with Debbie Kotter (Byron) Barkley and Rae Linn (Phil) Dooling . Also surviving is his younger (88) brother Samuel (Tiny) Likins of Phoenix, AZ, his sister-in-law Margaret (Bob) Snyder of Salt Lake City, brother-in-law Leroy (Feddy) Dickerson of Idaho Falls, Idaho. In addition, he is survived by seven grandchildren: Jeff (Debbie) and Steve (Christa) Kotter; Michael (Lauren) Erlacher; Heather and Holly Likins; and Bryn and Tanner Likins and three great-grandchildren: Jack, Emma, and Grace Kotter. The family would like to thank Jeff and Debbie Kotter, Michael Erlacher, Caran Scott and their friend Linda Ernst for their warm and loving care of Corwin over the past two years. Their encouragement, companionship, and humor were instrumental for Dad during the tough days as well as the great days. They were definitely a part of his family in both presence and spirit. In addition, our warmest thanks go to Dr. Holland and the incredible professional and caring people of Hospice for Utah including Michael Bigham and Joan Pfau who helped make it possible for dad to stay in his home with his family during his final years. Services will be held at Evans & Early Mortuary located at 574 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, 84102 801-355-5323 at 11:00 a.m. Sat. March 19, 2011 immediately followed by a brief graveside ceremony at Mt. Olivet Cemetery located at 1342 E. 5th So. Friends are welcome to greet the family from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fri., March 18th at Evans & Early Mortuary, Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, Corwin and the family suggest donations to Shriner's Children's Hospitals (http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/) or Hospice for Utah (http://www.hospice4utah.com/).