OBITUARIES - 11/2/18

Nov. 1, 2018

Richard S. Preciado

Richard “Dickie” Preciado, 67, of Phoenix died on Oct. 11.

Preciado earned his Master’s in Education from Arizona State University. He started his teaching career at Rose Linda elementary, where he retired as the principal after 35 years. The gymnasium there was named the Richard Preciado Gym.

Preciado was known for his love of sports and was an avid softball player and coach for 40 years. He was passionate about his Arizona State Sun Devils and was a dedicated season ticket holder, and attended any bowl game ASU was participating in.

“Dickie was the easiest going, the kindest, the most gentle man, and a very, very smart softball coach. Ask anyone on the Saints Women’s softball team and each and every one will attest to that,” said Jimmy King, manager of Saints Women’s 40 team.

“Dickie has been a mainstay at First Base for the Saints since their inception in 2004 and will be greatly missed,” continued King. “He was not only a coach, but a friend to all who knew him, whether it was women’s, men’s or co-ed softball in Arizona. Dickie will be greatly missed by his family and friends and by his Saints Women’s softball team.”
 

John R. Cole

John Cole, 66, of Green Valley, AZ, died on Sept. 10.

Cole was longtime member of SSSUA and most recently played with Scrap Iron Diamonds out of Colorado. His SSUSA resume includes stints with Just 4 Fun, Rocco’s, Doubleplay Classic, and various Top Gun teams, among others.

Cole began his SSUSA career in the early 2000’s with Class Act.

“John was a competitor with a great sense of humor that kept the dugout loose, no matter what the situation,” said Norm Friedman, who played with Cole on the Scrap Iron Diamonds team. “He will be missed by all that knew him.”
 

Dennis W. Pendarvis

Dennis Pendarvis, 65, of Raleigh, NC, died on Sept. 23.

Pendarvis graduated from Boys High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He started Rockaway Sports Association and worked for New York Traffic for 20 years, before moving to Raleigh in 1999.

Pendarvis was associated with the Umpire Association (Raleigh, NC), North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), and Raleigh Parks and Recreation.

Pendarvis worked for SSUSA as an umpire, mainly working the Eastern Nationals.

“Dennis was a good umpire/official,” said BJ Bryant, SSUSA Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) from North Carolina. “All the years we hosted the Eastern Nationals, Dennis was always one of the first umpires I would call.”