David Robert Wytko

David Robert Wytko left this earth and went to his eternal home on March 28, 2021, he was 90 years old.  Born October 1st, 1930 in Buckley to George and Mary Wytko and spent his early years on the family farm. Dave married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Poch in May of 1949 and they built a beautiful life with each other, spending 60 years together raising their four boys and tending to all the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Dave is survived by his 3 sons, John (Debbie), Ed, Chuck (Carla), his sister Barbara, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  

A graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, Dave was a huge advocate for education.  He encouraged all his grandkids to do well in school. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from PLU in 1965 and continued to complete his Master’s Degree in counseling. He started his 25-year career as an elementary and middle school teacher and finished his career as a high school counselor for the White River School District in Buckley and was a part time Curriculum Advisor at Green River College.

Besides being a teacher and counselor, Dave loved sports throughout his high school years and spent a season after graduation playing football for the Silver Barons. He coached many sports, but he loved coaching football, baseball, basketball, and the girls’ softball team. He also played Senior Softball all through his 60’s. He was a wonderful man who touched the lives of many people through his teaching, counseling, sports and just being Dave, chatting over a cold beer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley, son Paul (Cec), granddaughter Erin and 7 siblings.  We would like to send a special thank you to all his caretakers, especially Chloe, Betty and Janet, for the past years who so lovingly cared for Dave.  

Dave was a part of the Russian Orthodox Church in Wilkeson, and Father John will preside over his graveside memorial that will be open to all on April 9th at 12:30 at the Buckley Cemetery.   His funeral will be closed to allow immediate family due to the CDC and state regulations.

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