Daniel Ray Homchick, 66. died Aug. 11, 2021, while on a family vacation in Redmond, Oregon. He died from pneumonia as a result of the cancer he had been fighting for eight years.

Dan was born and raised in Aberdeen, Washington. He also lived in Cosmopolis, Washington for 20 years. He graduated from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen as part of the Class of 1973.

He married Kim (Fairchild) Beardmore at his home in Cosmopolis, Washington on July 2, 1992, and together they raised their four boys.

For the past nine years, Dan and Kim lived in Hoquiam, Washington.

Dan worked in the timber industry for many years when he decided to fulfill his dream of being a teacher and after 23 years, returned to college graduating from WSU in 2001. He taught at Alexander Young Grade School then joined Grays Harbor County Health Department as a health educator working with all ages in many local schools. Dan was instrumental in starting the needle exchange program through Grays Harbor County and worked the program until his retirement in 2019.

Dan coached many of Aberdeen’s youth in YMCA basketball, AAU basketball, T-ball, Minor League, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams. At one point, he coached two baseball teams at the same time until he “recruited” his wife to coach a team. Dan was also instrumental in starting the Pop Warner Youth Football Program in Grays Harbor. Dan made many life-long friends with the boys he coached.

As a youth, Dan attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church and as an adult, he volunteered in their Feed the Hungry program. He was a member of Saron Lutheran Church in Hoquiam and volunteered to be the recreation director for their Vacation Bible School program.

In the off season Dan, Kim and boys spent most winters snow skiing at many of Washington and Oregon ski resorts. The family also spent many summers at Dan’s favorite place on earth, Flathead Lake, Montana.

After the boys left home, Dan took up golf and spent as much time as his wife would let him at Highland Golf Course. Dan was the Men’s Club president for several years. Dan and Kim joined a group of golfers at Alta Lake Golf Resort each summer and that became Dan’s other favorite place on earth.

Dan is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kim; sons: Jacob Homchick of Aberdeen, Drew Homchick (Heather) of Spokane, Keith Beardmore (Jessica) of The Dalles, Oregon and Curtis Beardmore (Amy) of Montesano; eight grandchildren: Brady and Harrison of Spokane; Anna, Colton, Carson and Alaina of Montesano; and Kale and Olivia of The Dalles; brothers: John Homchick (Joan), Puyallup; Walter Homchick (Jacki), Graham and Brian Homchick (Priscella), Yelm; sisters: Diane Major of Los Angeles, California and Susie Premo (Mike) of Seattle and his dog and best friend, Murray Homchick.

Memorials may be sent to the Save the Steeple fund at Saron Lutheran Church, PO Box 517, Hoquiam, WA 98550 or Feed the Hungry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He was predeceased by his parents, Chester and Mary Homchick and brothers, Chester Homchick Jr. and Steve Homchick.

A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, outdoors at Highland Golf Course in Cosmopolis. Masks and hand sanitizer will be readily available.