- Date Of Birth: December 8, 1930
- Date Of Death: December 23, 2018
- State: Idaho
Ray Faraca, 88
Ray “Coach” Faraca, 88 of Kellogg, Idaho, passed away on December 23, 2018. He was born on December 8, 1930 in Kellogg, the son of Italian immigrants, Antonio and Agnes Grace (Caruso) Faraca.
Ray was a lifelong resident of Kellogg and extremely well known in the community. He graduated from Kellogg High School in 1950 and then attended the University of Idaho on a football scholarship, where he studied education and biology. He played football at Idaho and started at right guard and nose guard for three years.
After graduating from college, Ray planned on attending physical therapy school at the University of Southern California. However, a job offer from School District #391 derailed those plans, and instead Ray began teaching and coaching at the Pinehurst Junior High School in1954. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Kellogg High School where he remained for the duration of his career. Ray was a popular Biology teacher but was perhaps best known as a coach and mentor to the young men and women of Kellogg High.
Ray married the love of his life and fellow teacher, Mary Rae Thompson, on April 4, 1956 at St.
During his 35 year teaching tenure, Ray coached football and track for many years experiencing tremendous success. His track teams were especially dominant, earning 16 consecutive district championships during his career. Additionally, he coached multiple individual state champions for the Wildcats over the years. Although Coach Faraca had six children of his own, he also considered the many athletes that he forged special bonds with to be his “kids”. Coaching these young men and women of Kellogg brought him joy beyond measure. His commitment as a standout coach and mentor, as well as being a highly regarded high school and collegiate athlete, culminated with his induction into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ray was a proud member of the Kellogg Booster Club, Kellogg Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, the Kellogg Elks, the Vandal Boosters, as well as a forever member of The Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ray leaves behind a host of friends and family including his six sons: Jay (Barbara) Faraca of Newman Lake, Washington, Tobin (Cindy) Faraca of Kingston, Pat (Suzanne) Faraca of Post Falls, Brett Faraca of Kellogg, Tony (Brandie) Faraca of Boise, and Guy (Lynn) Faraca of Lafayette, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Rosie (Noah), Jeremiah (Kamri), Misty Dawn, Sophia, Joe, Marlie, Cash, Gabe, and Nick; his great-granddaughter, Chyles; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his nephews Vic and Tim Parcher of Spokane. Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Rae (who just recently passed away); his parents Antonio and Agnes; as well as his ten brothers and sisters: Gabriel, Frank, Adeline, Margaret, Emil, William, John, Rose, Robert James, and Donna.
As Ray often said, “It’s better to be a has-been than a never-was.” Go in peace, Coach Faraca. You will be missed by many.
