Teacher, leader, mentor, friend: Kerry Lamus had a far-reaching impact on others around him.
Kerry Lamus was born to Bruce and Louise Lamus on March 25, 1954. Kerry was both a joy and a torment to his younger sisters Holly, Tammie and Tracy, who were both annoyed and delighted by him. The sisters felt Kerry got away with too much because his charm and humor. If Kerry could make Mom laugh, he was home and trouble free.
From a young age, Kerry led the neighborhood in sports and games. He was always inclusive. Come one, come all; he loved the camaraderie of group activities. This made Kerry an excellent teammate. He loved all sports, and playing games with family and friends. Lettering in football, basketball and baseball, he graduated from Lakeside High School in 1971.
Kerry attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where he earned his BA in Philosophy. There, he discovered soccer which became a life-long passion. Perhaps most importantly, he developed lifelong friends, many from his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. Frequently these friends traveled home with Kerry during school holidays and became part of the Lamus extended family.
After college, Kerry followed his true calling to obtain his teaching credentials at Western Washington University; thus began his journey as the teacher we all know and love. He proudly answered to Mr. Lamus, “Lamus” or “Coach Lamoo”, all names his students fondly called him.
Kerry found a true home at Mariner High school where he spent his 40-year career devoted to students teaching math, coaching soccer and chess and working the football games on the chain gang. His greatest achievement as a teacher was the number of students who continued their education, many of whom became professionals and educators themselves. Students who were taught or coached by Kerry found that their lives were enriched by the experience. His Mariner colleagues are still considered family. MHS is also where he met his wife, Nancy.
Kerry and Nancy enjoyed nearly 25 years and a beautiful life together. They made a family tradition of hosting Thanksgiving each year for many friends and family members. Kerry was a great step-father to Kelsey Huff and Colby Shirk, sharing his philosophy of life with them. They were very happy that Kerry and Nancy found each other. In their retirement, Kerry and Nancy enjoyed their bikes, and their birding group. They spent their time traveling, being with friends, and enjoying the home they established together. They weathered life’s storms together, as a team. Kerry was very proud to be Nancy’s husband.
Kerry is loved and survived by his wife Nancy (children Kelsey and Colby), His sisters Holly Hall (daughter Mischa), Tammie Colwell (husband Mark, children Blair and Matt) , and Tracy Lamus (husband Tom Craig, children Zoe and Sam).
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 30th at 2:00 at the Mariner High School Student Center. Donations in Kerry’s name to the Mukilteo Schools Foundation would be appreciated.
Few people have had such a major impact on everyone around them. He has inspired people not only to work hard, but to understand what and why. Every person hopes to have this kind of impact, respect and gratitude. Kerry achieved that, simply because he loved to see people thrive. There is no better legacy than that. His humanity will live on in all of us.
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