Coach - Rest In PEACE. I remember way back when you told us that the one thing we will hold with us are the memories of brotherhood and the battles we fought for each other as a football team. And after all these years, you were absolutely right. Oh, how I still miss those days, after over 30 years. Thank you for giving this mid-sized Asian American a chance to taste what football was at the time. Not the fastest, not the biggest, not the strongest, but you pulled the best out of me, even when I didn't have the confidence to do so. Thank you so much for everything. My heaviest condolences to the Fortner family.

Sincerely,

Curt Kwak
Class of 1988, Evergreen Wolverines
Tackle - O & D

miss my boys - Patrick (TE), Me (Kwakers) (T), Bent (G), Johnson (C), Dorry (G) & Flynn (T). Loved you guys! 

Rest in Peach, coach!

I met Jimmy at Brougham's Athlete of the Year Banquet in 1964. I had lost my leg a few weeks earlier and was pretty discouraged. I came on crutches. He pulled up his suit pant legs and told me I would be fine. Later he invited me to watch him play soccer at UW Hec Ed. He hugely inspired me to get up, dust off, and keep going. I rowed for the UW crew for three years and later taught Management at the Foster School. He changed my life. Jim Clark 805-358-7627

Cheers to the very best there ever was!! Happy Father’s Day Dad!!
Celebrating you today & everyday!!!

Happy Birthday Big Guy, you are so very missed!

Hau’oli la hanau dad!!! You’re always with us!

We miss you everyday, and are so grateful for all the amazing times shared! You are a daily influence and always will be!

I dedicate my two Rose Bowl rings and my lifetime career as a fisheries biologist to my inspirational mentor, high school football coach and biology teacher, Jim Fortner.

Happy Birthday dad and thank you for letting me and Andy share your special day 20 years ago when we got married!
I have always loved being able to celebrate the two best men in my life on the same day and although you may not be here to join us any more, just know you will always be celebrated!
Hauoli La Hanau!

To say that Coach Fortner had a positive impact on the lives that he touched would be a huge understatement. He led by example - showing us all the value of caring, value of making a positive impact, the value of being a great teammate and family member. He was the type of man we all want to lead young people and provide lifelong experiences that would help form the next generation of winners; and not just on a scoreboard but in how we care for and treat others.  It was no surprise that after hearing of Coach's passing, we could easily connect with a group of teammates from our HS experience and share a common love and support!  We have those bonds / love because of what Coach provided in our experiences!

I recall watching how Coach interacted with Paul and Angie; how he found ways of challenging them! Their successes are no surprise! I can't count the number of times he found ways to get Angie to run another 1/4 mile trying to get her goal or beat her record. Big surprise she accomplished all that she did!  Karen - thanks being such an incredible woman, mom, wife....you have always been a great, calm influence to everything going on with working with young adults!

Coach - thanks for helping us to truly challenge ourselves and discover the value of being a part of a successful team! We love and miss you!

Coach Fortner,

With the exception of my family, you were the most influential person in my life. You might be the biggest reason why I am a teacher and head football coach today. You taught us about LIFE through the game of FOOTBALL. 

You believed in us, when we didn't believe in ourselves...
You were firm, but fair...
You loved us without coddling...
You expected more from us than we thought we had...
You never let us "look down"...

Favorite memories/lessons learned:
* Pre-game speeches in the wrestling room.
* Our ankle conversation in the coaches office before practice one day.
* The half-time "talk" you gave to me in front of the team after I had thrown 3 interceptions, and the "wink" you gave me after throwing a TD pass on the first possession of the 2nd half.
* The phone conversation we had the day after my team won it's first state championship.
* Every day of my first two years coaching on your staff.
* The year you were in the booth at Mount Si when I was the offensive coordinator.

Thank you Karen, Angie and Paul for sharing "Coach" with us.

I wished I could have had this conversation in person, but it feels good to share in writing.

I love you Coach!

Tom (Tommy - Only you and my mom called me Tommy)

You were truly one of a kind and the positive ripples you created in this world are immeasurable.

Love,
Paul