Cleland Lyle Dame Obituary
Legendary coach
Cleland (Coach) Lyle Dame
died early morning, February 16, 2022, peacefully in his sleep. He was 94 years young.
He was born and raised in Northport Michigan, to parents Roland & Rose Dame. Along with siblings Roland Jr. (Buster), Elwood (Woody), & Orlan (Jack), Cle was raised by grandparents Isaiah & Lulu Dame. Special remembrance goes out to Cle's first basketball coach, his uncle Isa (Elden) Dame, who was very instrumental in Cle's upbringing & path in life.
Cleland was married to Wilma Stowe, from Omena, Michigan for 62 years. They spent their honeymoon in Niagara Falls, then life together downstate, 54 years of it in the Utica / Washington area.
They actively RV'd during the summer, and often took camping trips with Wilma's siblings & their spouses, traveling around approximately 2/3 of the continental United States & much of southern Canada. A severe wreck in 1992 left them physically unharmed but unfortunately ended their desire to pull a trailer & go camping anymore.
A naturally talented athlete, basketball was everything in his life. He played basketball & baseball for the Army in Japan at the end of WWII & played basketball for Central Michigan University. Then along with being a public school physical education (gym) teacher, and drivers education instructor, he coached basketball (& other sports) for 60 years at 10 different high schools including Unionville H.S., Clinton H.S., Richmond H.S., Marysville H.S., Yale H.S., Utica H.S., Stevenson H.S., Malow Jr. High, Eisenhower H.S., Anchor Bay H.S., & finishing up at Utica H.S.
Cle is in 3 basketball coaches Halls of Fame, including the State of Michigan, the county of Macomb Michigan & Utica High School.
Cle is survived by:
His son Rex (Bonnie) Dame, daughter Colene (Craig) Nichols, and son Greg (Sue) Mills. Important to note is that he is also survived by granddaughter Jodie Sopha & her husband Jody Mihal who have given Cle extordinary care for the past several years. Additional descendants include 6 grandchildren (including Jodie), 10 great grandchildren, & 7 great great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please send donation/contributions in memory of Coach Dame to the Utica High School Athletic Boosters.
