RENTON, Wash. – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) mourns two former employees, Kathleen Lehmann Kinch and Larry O’Neal, who passed away in May.
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| Kathleen Kinch worked at the WIAA as the Business Manager. | Kinch grew up in Seattle, graduated from Lincoln High School and worked for the Renton School District before retiring as the Business Manager for the WIAA in 2002. Kinch passed away peacefully due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease on May 1.
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| Larry O'Neal served as an Assistant Executive Director from 1983-90. |
O’Neal served as an Assistant Executive Director from 1983-90. During his tenure at the State Office, O’Neal oversaw a variety sports, classifications, allocations, Kingbowl and was responsible for the first Mat Classic in 1989. O’Neal was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed on May 10.
"Kathy and Larry were great behind the scene workers who never wanted any attention directed their way, but strived to support and oversee great events that created life long memories for literally thousands of student athletes and their families during their stint with the Association,” WIAA Assistant Executive Director Cindy Adsit said, who worked with both Kinch and O’Neal. “They set a standard that we all aspire to."
A service for Kinch is scheduled for May 17 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bellevue, while O’Neal’s will be held at the Dowling Funeral Home in Cathlamet on Saturday, May 31 at 2 p.m. |