3/18/2025

Link to Pat Alexander’s Celebration of Life Ceremony

(Tumwater, WA) It was perfect! A large crowd in attendance to say goodbye to one of the most beloved T-Birds ever at Tumwater High School, Pat Alexander. Pat, Mr, Coach Alexander or Coach A made his mark at Tumwater coaching football for 41 years with Sid Otton and longtime Wrestling coach.

Patrick Lloyd Alexander passed away on December 17, 2025. That date may not mean much to most but it meant a lot to his kids, Kip, Becky and Mary. Coach Alexander’s football number at Lake Washington high school was 17 so Kip Alexander was not surprised when he headed for his next challenge on the 17th. His best friend, Sid Otton was an impressive defensive lineman in his time playing football and wore #71. Players know how important numbers are and in this case has forever connected these two giants of the gridiron.

The numbers were just an added layer of connection between Alexander and Otton.When Coach Alexander first came to Tumwater after teaching and coaching at Mt Si High School, it took one sit down meeting with Otton to sell Alexander. In 1976 the friendship was forged in steel and little did they know what the pair of them were going to achieve over the next 41 years.

Coach Otton still sits atop the list of winningest football coach in state history with 394. O’Dea’s Monte Kohler tied Otton winning the 3A State Championship just a couple of weeks prior to Alexander’s passing. Otton and Alexander’s State Football results were 5 State Championships, 3 2nd place finishes they played in 14 Semifinal games, 19 Quarterfinals and a State play-off game 26 times. I don’t find it at all coincidental that Coach Alexander was never going to let anyone top their accomplishment. He would often say after a loss we didn’t lose, we just ran out of time. Well he just ran the clock out on anyone ever passing him as part of the winningest coaching duo in state history. He would smile and laugh at the thought of that I am sure. 

The success of the program is undeniable and easy to point to achievement and success as the reason to celebrate a Head Coach and his loyal 1st soldier. Coach Alexander may have been officially listed as an assistant coach and the Defensive Coordinator but there was no doubt there was always 2 Head Coaches that led Tumwater to the place in history they will forever be.

Coach A’s impact is far greater than on the field or mat. Coach Alexander was a steady presence for so many young people struggling with all kinds of issues that high schoolers face. He was the Activities Director and taught leadership and you couldn’t have had a more perfect person to teach young people how to lead and a part many don’t quite get and that’s how to be led. One of the many life lessons you learned from just being in his presence was the honor and importance to allowing yourself to be led.

He would often say you need the foot soldiers to do work and they need to be open to being led. So as important as it was for him to teach how to be a good leader he would teach and show you how important it was to hold your leader accountable. Not to simply follow but to make sure as you are being led down the correct path. He would say it’s lazy allowing someone to blindly lead you into a situation you do not want to be in. There was a responsibility on both ends and an accountability.

That was so important to him because it allowed you to see that YOU get to lead yourself. You get to set your path and when you make the wrong choice there will be consequences and something you couldn’t simply blame on someone else.  He was sure of self-determination and made sure you knew you had that power within yourself.

The one thing you could count on was many of the sayings he had like It’s a Super Great Day! Never Give Up, Never Never Give Up, If it is to me it is up to me. Those are very familiar to many people and have heard him say those things hundreds of times. His charisma is second to none, his honesty, sincere caring and true love of not only his family but life itself was magnetic.

Those who were lucky enough to have moments with him whether it be a wry smile, his mischievious twinkle in his eyes, his enormous sense of humor there was always something there for everyone to make you feel good, make you feel safe and just an unabashed trust. You knew you were in the presence of someone special but also never knew quite what it was because it wasn’t any one thing. It was everything.

Coach Alexander leaves a legacy that is totally unique to himself. He is so beloved not because of what he did, how many wins they collected, not because he was funny or goofy but rather the person he is. You aren’t willing to literally run through a brick wall for someone for just being a nice guy. The reason there were people from 1976 all the way to the current players in attendance is because he is important and special to them. Think of that, there were many current players because they know what Coach did and why he was so important to all these people that are now pushing 70. A reminder he hasn’t coached since 2016, 9 years ago and yet were there.

The love for Coach Alexander comes back to one simple truth. And the truth is all of us felt his sincere love. You felt it and he meant it. His son Kip was asked what his Dad was really like at home with just the family. Kip smiled had his father’s gleem in his eye and said, you know….you know. 

Pat and Sandi Alexander moved their family to Tumwater in 1976. Little did all of us know the impact of that one decision would have on our souls for the next 49 years. Sandi sadley passed from cancer in 1989. The Alexander’s were part of the Tumwater community from the beginning and it only grew with Sandi working in the High School administrative office and Pat the Activities Director and coach. It was all T-Birds all the time.

The Alexander legacy is all encompassing and will be forever part of the Tumwater lexicon. Pat Alexander was born to teach and his compassion, empathy and sheer love has touched so many with lifelong lessons that we still use on a daily basis. 

There is so much more to tell you about this magnificent man but the biggest thank-you that needs to be said is to Kip, Becky and Mary. Thank-you for sharing such a remarkable soul and person with so many of us. It could have been so easy to not want to let others know about your special gift of both Pat and Sandi Alexander. But the minute you 3 were unleashed on our little town of Tumwater, Washington you were willing to share the ultimate coach with all your friends, neighbors and strangers. For that unselfish gesture the Tumwater High School community gives you and your family many thanks.

The large crowd of family, former coaching colleagues, players, students and friends each have their own story. There was that special moment in time that each one and more had with this man that was theirs and theirs alone. No one can ever take that magic moment away and wow, what a gift he has given all of us.

Some will know what this means, others may not but Coach, I raise my Dairy Queen Marshmallow Milk Shake to you and Thank you. You are simply the best. We love you and we’re having a Supergreat Day! 

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