Columbia Basin College Football Alumni and Friends

Gunner Lee Dixon Obituary (1959 - 2022) Tri-City Herald View Gunner Lee Dixon's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Gunner & Lori Ann Dixon

Gunner Dixon passed away a week ago on April 9, 2022. After graduating from Riverview High school across the river in Finley, WA, Gunner was a member of our 1977 CBC Hawk Football team. He was a popular teammate with his enthusiasm and great personality. Below is his Obituary from the Tri-Cities Herald.

Gunner Lee Dixon Obituary (1959 - 2022) Tri-City Herald View Gunner Lee Dixon's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

1978 CBC vs Wenatchee. Mostly defense, at 1:03 into the video, Lee Beedle makes a horse collar tackle back when horse collars were legal.

VTS 01 1 1978 Columbia Basin College Football vs. Wenatchee Valley College

January 27th, 2017 Coach Dick Zornes is inducted into the CBC Hall of Fame. Former coach Gary Houser and players from 77-78 teams on hand were Greg Buttke, Pete Sinclair, Mark Kafentzis, Clint Didier, Lee Beedle, Gary Neibel, Kur Kettle, Sheriff Jim Raymond, Jim Brittan, Gunner Dixon, Joe Frannett, Les Cooley, Clarke Cooke, Ken Wilson.

GO HAWKS! Hopefully you all received the email from CBC Athletic Director, Scott Rogers about Coach Zornes inducted into the CBC Hall of Fame. The induction event is planned for Friday, evening January 27th, 2017 at CBC in Pasco Washington.

Arrangements have been made for 1977-78 CBC Football Alumni to sit at team tables. There are already a few tables reserved, of which Coach Hattemer and Coach Houser will be on hand sitting at the team tables. Initial response is that we will have a good contingency of Football Alumni attending. Since this is the biggest fund raiser of the year for CBC athletics, tickets and tables have gone fast. There is a limited amount of space left, and CBC needs to wrap up the roster of attendees.

This is a terrific honor for a great man who made an impact on us at an important part of our lives. I spoke to coach Zornes and he is proud of this recognition and is looking forward to this event and hopefully seeing as many of his players as possible.

A few of the guys have expressed interest in staying over Saturday night and make a weekend of it. Plans are in place for a Saturday event.

I hope you can make it, please email or call me to reserve your seat at your earliest convenience.

Go Hawks!

Ken Wilson

[email protected]
208-724-3747

Gentlemen:

Very Sad news, Coach John Howard passed away a few days ago. A service is planned at CBC on Sunday July 12th at 1:00 pm. I will post more details when available.

John HowardJohn Howard - Coach
John Howard, former CBC coach, was elected into the NWAACC Hall of Fame in 1997 and the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980 after an illustrious 38-year coaching career at CBC. When Howard came to CBC in 1964, he revived a wrestling program that became a powerhouse on the west coast. It took him three years to revitalize the program, but in his fourth year as head coach, CBC won 53 straight dual meets, a winning streak that lasted four years. In 1971, he guided CBC to its first championship in the Washington Athletic Association of Community Colleges. During his time at the College, Howard coached eight wrestlers to individual championships, including two national champions, Darrell Keller and Gil Daminani. Howard left an incredible sports legacy when he retired from CBC in 2002. Besides being known for reviving the wrestling program, he also coached football, golf, and tennis while teaching in the Physical Education department. The CBC golf program claimed 10 NWAACC Championships under Coach Howard, and he was part of the coaching staff that placed 16 players in the National Football League.

CBC Hawks:

It is with great sadness that I pass along to you that Kenny “Bags” Bagley passed away on December 26th. Bags was a real character who was a hard working player on the 1979-80 Hawks team. After CBC Kenny went on to play at Central Washington. Kenny was at our Reunion Gala, as well as the team induction into the NCWAA Hall of Fame. Kenny’s experience at CBC with all Hawks was an important time in his life. His service was held at the Sure House Open Bible Church in Tacoma.

Gentlemen:

Below is Scott’s Kitt’s Obituary that will appear in the Seattle Times, Tri-City Herald, Columbus Dispatch, Spokesman Review, This Week in Worthington News and Highline Times. Here is information on his Service :

Sunday, November 23, at 3:00 pm
Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, 98133
will be followed by a catered reception.

Katherine is having a catered reception following the service. She also has reserved some rooms for people coming from out of town. Katherine’s contact information is at the end of this email.

Some of the guys have expressed interest in getting together Saturday night somewhere in the Seattle area. Let me know if one of you guys wants to champion that and get it organized.

Michael “Scott” Kitts passed peacefully on October 24, 2014, after his valiant battle with breast cancer in his hometown, Des Moines, WA. He will always be remembered as a “Great Man”, husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was passionate about life and helping those in need. He had incredible knowledge of sports statistics and memorabilia.

He was born and raised in Spokane, WA, then attended Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA, where he played football and was a team captain in 1978 when they won the NWAACC National Championship, and were voted the National Top Junior College Football Team. The team was inducted into the NWAACC Hall of Fame in 2012.

He worked in hazardous waste management at Hanford in Richland, WA, and at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, OH.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Katherine (Kathy Powers) and their two sons and wives, Brandon Kitts and Tessa Jones, and Sheldon and Brittany Kitts and their two children, Stetson and Re*****on who were POPPA’S PRIDE AND JOY!

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 23, at 3:00 pm, at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, 98133, and will be followed by a catered reception.

In lieu of flowers, a Michael “Scott” Kitts Memorial annual athletic scholarship has been set up at Columbia Basin College Foundation. If you would like to make a donation (tax-deductible), please send to:

Columbia Basin College Foundation
ATTN: Michael “Scott" Kitts Memorial Scholarship
2600 N. 20th Avenue
Pasco, WA, 99301
*Please make check payable to CBC Foundation and note in memo “M.S. Kitts”

Katherine Kitts, Executive Assistant
Capital Construction Department
Highline School District No. 401
17810 8th Avenue South
Burien, WA 98148
Office Phone: 206-631-7500

Sunday, November 23, at 3:00pm is the date and time of Scott Kitt’s service. The location will be somewhere in the Seattle area and should be selected in the next few days. I will post that information once we have it.



Ken Wilson

208-724-3747

[email protected]

We lost a great friend and team mate last night. Scott Kitts passed away at 8:05pm Friday night, October 24, 2014. The November 1 event has been canceled per Scott’s wife Katherine’s request. Scott’s service is expected to be sometime in mid-November. I will forward you service information along with any requests Katherine may have for contacting the family, once plans have been made.

Live life my friends, we are not here forever.

Ken Wilson