James Eurick

James Eurick

March 19, 1950 - April 03, 2026

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Obituary

James “Jim” Dennis Eurick

March 19, 1950 – April 3, 2026

James “Jim” Dennis Eurick, age 76, of Saginaw, Michigan, a beloved husband, father, teacher, and coach, passed away on April 3, 2026, in Florida, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on March 19, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Otto and June (Landskroener) Eurick.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, JoAnn Eurick; his two children, Jayson (Amanda) Eurick and Jill Eurick; three cherished grandchildren, Kendall, Tyler, and Danika; his brother, Terry (Margo) Eurick; his brother-in-law, Edward (Diane) Ulmer; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Sharon Cabala Clarke, and his brothers-in-law, Charles S. Cabala and Horace “Bud” Clarke.

Jim attended Saginaw High School, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete, graduating in 1968. He captained both the baseball and football teams and was named to the All-Saginaw Valley Football Team during his senior year. He continued his education at Central Michigan University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He went on to dedicate his career to education as a high school teacher and to shaping young lives as a football coach.

Jim’s distinguished football coaching career spanned more than 40 years. He began at Bridgeport-Spaulding High School (1972–1975) before moving to Chesaning Union High School (1976–1984). He later coached at Arthur Hill High School (1985–1996) and Bay City Western High School (1997–2008). In addition to football, Jim coached junior varsity baseball at Arthur Hill High School, Chesaning, and South Junior High, and he proudly coached his son’s Little League teams throughout the years.

His dedication and excellence earned him numerous honors. Jim was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997, the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009, the Saginaw Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame in 2025. He was named Regional Coach of the Year ten times and was honored as the Michigan Class AA Coach of the Year in both 1991 and 1992.

Jim leaves behind a legacy defined by his love of family and football. He will be remembered for far more than his winning records; he was a mentor to countless young men and was deeply committed to instilling discipline, integrity, and character for success in life. Many of his former players credit him as a lasting influence. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, both on and off the field.

VISITATION: Family and friends will gather at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Jim’s Celebration of Life.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: A Celebration of Life will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Road (off State), Saginaw, MI 48603.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Level Up, 225 Sunnyside Drive, Leesburg, FL 34748. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.

Events

15
Visitation
Wed Apr 15, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
Deisler Funeral Home • 2233 Hemmeter Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603
Get Directions
16
Visitation
Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT
Deisler Funeral Home • 2233 Hemmeter Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603
Get Directions
16
Celebration of Life
Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 10:00 AM EDT
Deisler Funeral Home • 2233 Hemmeter Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603
Get Directions

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Tom and Barb Karac
Friend •
Our hearts are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim. What an outstanding athlete, coach, teacher and administrator, but more importantly what a loving husband, father and friend to all of us. God bless you, Jim. You will be greatly missed. May your soul Rest in Peace in God's presence. Our love and deepest sympathies to the entire Eurick Family. Tom and Barb Karac (Former Arthur Hill Coach)
JS
Jim Szappan
Friend •
Jim and I had been coaching at Chesaning for a few years. Our weight room consisted of a universal gym in the balcony above the swimming pool at the middle school. Not a good situation. One day I took Jim into the old band room to explore the possibility of converting it in to a much need weight room. There were these small practice cubicles that were constructed with cinder blocks,loaded with sand as a sound barrier. We would have to remove all those blocks in order to have a good sized room. He said we'd have to get the permission from our principal John Malcom. I told Jim,"he's never going to ok that!". I talked him in to doing it anyway. I said "its better sometimes to beg forgiveness than asked permission." Besides I said,"what can they do,fire us?. I was looking for a job when I found this one". So, one weekend Jim and I went into the school,sledgehammers and wheel borrow in hand. We spent the whole day knocking down walls and hauling out broken blocks to the back of the school. Monday morning Jim and I are called into the principals office.. John Malcom was absolutely livid. His face was beat red and he was screaming at us. I told him it was my idea but he didn't care. He told us the maintenance guy checked it out and we didn't tear out any supporting walls,(I already knew that but didn't dare say it). He said we wouldn't be held liable. He put us on a year's probation, we already had tenure,thank God. For months every time I'd see John in the hall he'd just shake his head. Eventually John would laugh about the ordeal. He never did forgive us but that's ok, we got a weight room. Jim Szappn
HM
Heather Mims
Family •
To the family of the Late Coach Jim Eurick He will be truly Missed by all that Knew Him well. Coach Eurick has a great smile towards the students, football players and fans that support. Coach for the Lumberjacks also took the Team to the playoffs also won the Division Round and state championship. We are so proud of the Lumberjacks, Coach Eurick has Won the Race. Take your Rest Coach Eurick Go Lumberjacks forever 💙💛💙💛 heather Mims
HM
Heather Mims
Family •
To the Famy of the Late of Coach Jim Eurick. He was A very Nice Person To talk with. I Remember Coach Eurick when I came to Arthur Hill High School in the fall of 94 of my sophomore year. When Coach Eurick was in the hallway for Break time we talked for a good Minute talking about The game between The hill and the high. I said coach make sure you all beat the High he started Laughing. he said we try to Jayson, Jill, Ms. Eurick and the Entire Family, My Prayers are with you all during this Difficult time of Bereavement take your Rest coach Eurick Lumberjacks For Life💙💛💙💛💙💛 Heather Mims AHHS c/o 96
TF
The Markey Family
Friend •
JoAnn, Jill, and Jay, John, Charlie, Reva, Joan, and I – the “Markey Bunch” - mourn the loss of our longtime friend. Jim touched our lives many times over the past 60 plus years. He was one of a just a few people who was a close friend to the Markey brothers - John, Charlie, and me. While we mourn his loss, we will always cherish our lifetime friendships. We admired our friend, Jim’s coaching success, which led to his induction in multiple athletic halls of fame – truly an amazing legacy, a by-product of his SHS roots. I fondly remember our weekend football games in the snow at CMU with other “east siders,” our annual Turkey Bowl football “classics” at *Furstenberg Field, and numerous rounds of golf at local golf courses – especially Twin Oaks. Jim and I used to enjoy looking for golf balls on holes number 4 and 18 at Twin Oaks. We didn’t need the golf balls, but if no one was behind us, we would spend up to a half hour- sometimes more - climbing down the creek banks to search for golf balls. Just as we got ready to move on, one of us would spot another ball, and we would go after it. Great memories indeed. Rest in Peace, Jim. Bob Markey – representing the Markeys SHS ‘65 *Note-Officially, there was never a Furstenberg Field. It was “our” field -about 10 yards wide and 100 yards long, which we discovered” by chance one Thanksgiving Day. It ran alongside the railroad tracks on the northside of the old Furstenberg Lumber Company, which was on Jefferson, just south of Rust Street. Our specialty was to argue after every play. We had more fun arguing than playing. Four future “hall of famers” played in those games, Jim, Charlie, Tuck Bedford, and Ben Haller.
DA
Duane Alverson
Friend •
My sincere condolences to JoAnn, Terry and your entire family on your loss. Jim was a giant of a man.

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