Howard Jorgenson gave and gave to his community

Talk to relatives and others who, over the past 50-plus years, knew and worked with Howard Jorgenson and "shy" or "reserved" would not be words that come to mind when describing this iconic community figure.

But that's how Medical Lake High School's current principal, Chris Spring, described his first encounter with Jorgenson, who passed away May 2 at age 76. His passing was voted as one of the top news stories in 2016.

"It was a unique beginning of a relationship with him," Spring said, who was hired as baseball coach at Medical Lake in 1998.

Jorgenson had a passion for softball and baseball, Spring said. "How I met him (was) this maroon (Chevrolet) Impala was frequenting my practices; it would just sit right behind the backstop."

That happened every day, Spring said. "Same bat time, same bat place." Pretty soon curiosity got the better of him. Spring found out who was behind the wheel. Jorgenson was simply concerned about the direction the program following the retirement of coach Gary Glasgow.

"I say 'How you doing, I see your car here all the time?'" Spring said. "I'm Howard Jorgenson, I've heard a lot about you," Jorgenson said. That was the start of a long friendship.

But years before they met, the whole community was benefitting from Jorgenson's generous donation of his time.

"The first thing that comes to my mind is legendary," Spring said describing Jorgenson. "The second thing that comes to my mind is the 'Godfather of Medical Lake.'"

Born July 26, 1939 in Valley City, N.D. "Jorgie" graduated from Everett High School in 1957 and attended Washington State University, studying civil engineering for a short time.

He served in the U.S. Air Force, eventually settling in Medical Lake in 1967. Jorgenson worked 35 years at Eastern State Hospital in many roles. He became active in his union, the Washington Federation of State Employees where he served as president for 25 years.

He served multiple terms as a member of the City Council. Medical Lake Mayor John Higgins knew Jorgenson for 50 years."You couldn't get any more civic-minded than Howard," Higgins said. The money Jorgenson made on the council, about $30,000, all went to Dollars for Scholars.

Jorgenson was the founder of the Medical Lake Booster Club and helped with virtually any need students in Medical Lake had.

"Jorgie was one the community could always count on to help with programs for our youth of Medical Lake," former longtime tennis coach Leroy Lemaster said.

David Jorgenson, stepdaughter Meaghan Rasmussen and Jorgenson's wife, Marye Jorgenson shared memories of a man of whom service was at his core.

The union job took its toll in time away, but Jorgenson was always there for the sports, his son said.

And nothing ever came free, Rasmussen said. "You just couldn't have $20 to go to the movies, you had to dust his knick-knacks, rake up all the pine needles or shovel the snow."

He made enough money to where he could have lived an extravagant life, David Jorgenson said. "He was hell-bent on just giving everything away."

Every Dollars for Scholars garage sale involved legions of people who all lent a hand - and a strong back hauling stuff. "You couldn't say no to him," David Jorgenson said.

Sometimes you never knew you were involved.

"I was the secretary for the Medical Lake Booster Club for two years," Rasmussen said. She found out she was appointed to the job from a person in the community. Some call it being "volun-told."

When word of his death spread throughout his many circles, the cards and letters came in cascades.

Jorgenson's father was 62 when he died of diabetes, the same disease that took his son.

"I think in my heart of hearts the man upstairs said 'I need him to do these good works and work with my children and grandchildren,'" keeping him around longer, Marye Jorgenson said.

Of his huge extended family, David Jorgenson said. "I have 4,000 cousins running around here."

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.