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TATSCH ROGER E TATSCH SR - Most of us called him Coach, some called him Tiger, the family called him Sonny or Papa, his kids called him Dad, but all knew him as a fighter. Known for never being a quitter, Roger fought a courageous battle until the very end. He passed away Saturday March 12, 2011 with his loving family by his side. Roger was born September 7, 1934 in San Antonio, TX to parents Werner and Cora Tatsch. He attended Brackenridge High School, Class of '52, where he started on the varsity basketball team his junior and senior year. He had the opportunity to play basketball at many Division I colleges, including the University of Texas, but decided to stay home and marry his high school sweetheart, Wanda Shumate, on May 29, 1953. Roger attended Trinity University where he had a successful four-year career playing basketball. Upon graduating in 1957, his passion for the game led him to a successful coaching career starting at Bandera High School, followed by Eagle Pass High School, Irving Junior High School, Lanier High School, and from 1972-1982 John Jay High School, where he never had a losing season. As a head baseball coach, he had many players receive Division I scholarships and later be drafted to professional teams. After retiring, addicted to the energy of sports, Roger became the official timer from 1983-2010 for all football games at Gustafson Stadium. He continued working for Northside Independent School District as a visiting teacher and athletic supervisor. Along with coaching, he invested twenty years teaching drivers education for Rhodes Driving School. He officiated high school and collegiate basketball games for over thirty years and is a Lifetime member of the Southwest Basketball Officials Association, now known as TASO. He is a former member of the San Antonio Amateur Baseball Commission and president of the Hot Wells Amateur Baseball League. Roger touched many lives along the way and will certainly be missed. Roger is preceded in death by son Rodney Tatsch who passed away at age 16 in 1979 and is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Wanda Lee Shumate, Brothers- Gerald "Jitter" Tatsch, James "Jake" Tatsch, Sister- Judy Kay Broussard, Children-Rhonda Elayne Tatsch, Roger "Buddy" Tatsch Jr. and wife Donna, Roxanne Tatsch Keller and husband Dudley, Rochelle Tatsch Stidham and husband Juder, and Ronald Edward Tatsch. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren-Greg Tatsch and wife Alison, Tanya Tatsch Mechler and husband Michael, Dustin Pyatte, Jason Anderson and wife Aimee, Staci Anderson, Travis Tatsch, Amber Tatsch, Hannah Tatsch, Juder Stidham, Jarrett Stidham and Matthew Tatsch, four great-grandchildren- Brooke Tatsch, Alyssa Tatsch, Cody Mechler, and Justin Mechler, and several nieces and nephews. SERVICE Visitation and Viewing will be held Tuesday March 15, 2011 from 6-9pm at Oak Hill Mortuary. Funeral services will be celebrated Wednesday March 16th, 2011 at 10am at Community Bible Church, 2477 North Loop 1604E San Antonio, TX 78232. Mr. John Hornsby will officiate the service with the internment to follow at Mission Burial South. The family wishes to thank all of his caring physicians Dr Michael Lozano, Dr Jose Perez, Dr Mark Kipnes, Dr Susan Diamond, San Antonio Kidney Disease Center, DaVita Northwest Medical Center Dialysis, and Methodist Texsan Hospital Second Floor Pod B who so tenderly gave all of their compassionate care.

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Roger E. Tatsch

September 7, 1934 - March 12, 2011