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Obituary for George 'Coach' Skezas
George 'Coach' Skezas, a former Coach and vice principal at Dixon High School who built a highly-respected boys basketball program, died November 8th at 71 with his family by his side. His death fell on the day he was to be inducted into Dixon's Hall of Fame for his coaching career. After winning a long battle with cancer in years prior, his passing was due to complications from a stroke he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Mr. Skezas was a hardworking, self-made man. A well-known and respected figure at Dixon High who genuinely cared about his players and students. He mentored and challenged generations over a 30 year span, generous with both his heart and time. He was born in Pennsylvania and then moved to California with his parents at a young age. He graduated from Watsonville High school in 1961 where he excelled in both basketball and track. He served four years in the US Air Force where he took up competitive boxing, including 18 months in Korea. Mr. Skezas graduated from San Jose State majoring in Psychology with a Master’s in Education. During that time he met his wife Joanne who was also attending San Jose State for her teaching credential. The two have been married for 44 years and have been together for almost 50. They went on to have two loving children Teri and Todd. Since his start in Dixon, Mr. Skezas began as a counselor and Vice Principal at CA Jacobs middle school and soon moved onto Dixon High where he spent the vast majority of his career as a Vice principal and Coach. He also held various positions as Athletic Director, Tennis and Cross Country Coach. His biggest success aside from his family was his decorated coaching career with the Varsity boys’ basketball team at Dixon High School. Winning the Sac Joaquin section championship, many league championships, making countless playoff appearances, and being named SCAL Coach of the Year numerous times throughout his tenure. Mr. Skezas who retired from his VP position in 2002 continued his true love for coaching until 2010. At his last basketball awards banquet, he recognized his wife with a beautifully engraved clock which read, 'A wife of all seasons'; Love George. When he wasn't coaching he loved helping other coaching friends and former players with their children and other local youth teams. He also enjoyed applying his learned discipline, strategy and psychology to hone his skills at the poker table, competing in various Texas Hold’em Tournaments. He had a knowledge and passion for classic American cars that started at a young age and carried with him throughout his lifetime during which he had a number of beautiful restorations for weekend cruises and trips to “Hot August Nights”. He and his wife Joanne enjoyed traveling in retirement and he cherished every moment with family and close friends. He is survived by his loving wife, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and his two loving granddaughters who called him “Papa”. He will be remembered by his family, friends and all the lives he touched through the years. He will live forever in the hearts of many and be remembered for his strong presence, belief in hard work, his huge heart, unconditional love, and invaluable “life’s lessons”.
