Petar Nicola (Pete) Drakulich |
| Posted 2008-08-16 by Pat Wilson |
| Drakulich, Petar Nicola "Pete" Petar Nicola "Pete" Drakulich, 85, of Nogales, Arizona made the transition to the next world on April 28, 2003. Surrounded by his loving family, Pete passed peacefully and calmly. Born in Garfield, Utah on June 28, 1917, he spent his formative years in Yugoslavia and returned to the United States (Superior, Arizona) in 1928. A distinguished scholar-athlete at Arizona State University, he lettered in football and was honored in the ASU Basketball Hall of Fame. He received a B. S. in Physical Education from ASU in 1941, and in 1954 a Master's in Physical Education/Coaching at the University of Utah. Pete met and married his beloved wife Helen (deceased March, 1998) as a Navy Lieutenant Commander in Norfolk, Virginia. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he coached for three years in Superior. His next coaching assignment brought him to Nogales High School in 1950, where he began a 35 year coaching career in various sports, including football, basketball, golf, and baseball. His basketball teams won several Class A South Championships; his leadership earned him the Arizona A South All Star Basketball Coach title in 1952. He also taught science at Nogales Middle School for 35 years. And for motivating so many students in Arizona to pursue higher education, in 1980, the Governor proclaimed August 23rd "Pete Drakulich" Day. In his "free time" Pete taught countless children from Arizona and Sonora how to swim in his backyard pool. Experiences at "Pete's Pool" helped to build camaraderie and confidence among generations of Arizonan and Mexican children. After retiring in 1985, he was a tireless supporter of scholarship fundraising for Nogales High School students, raising thousands of dollars and establishing the Nogales High School Hall of Fame and the Border Angels Program. He was an active member of the Lions Club and Elks Clubs, and served on the Board of the Hilltop Gallery (his wife was one of the original Gallery Founders). There is no doubt that Pete's big heart, wit and unique character will continue to shape the lives of those fortunate enough to have met him. He is survived by son and wife Scott and Barbie and grandson Petar and wife Angie and grandson Chris. Visitation services were held at Carroon's Mortuary in Nogales, AZ. Memorial services were at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Nogales. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations to the Nogales High School Hall of Fame or B.A.S.S. (ASU Border Angels) can be sent to: Pete Drakulich Memorial Donations, c/o Jerry Smith, 656 W. Mesa Verde Drive, Nogales, Arizona 85621. Published in the Arizona Republic on 5/2/2003. |
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