Yuma County CO Archives Obituaries.....Eastin, Ronald C. "Tune", September 5, 2002
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Carol Monk carolmonk@comcast.net  December 30, 2006


(Note: Burial in Grandview Cemetery, Wray, Colorado.)
 
Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ) - September 12, 2002
Deceased Name: Ronald C. "Tune" Eastin

Ronald C. "Tune" Eastin, beloved husband, father, grand-father,
brother, teacher, businessman and Hall of Fame Coach passed away on
September 5, 2002 from complications of a staph infection. Eastin was
born on the eve of the Great Depression in Wray, Colorado a small
farming community in the middle of the Great Plains. He and his
brother Norman were stand out high school athletes. His unusual
nickname came about because his brother resembled Jack Dempsey and Ron
resembled heavyweight champion Gene Tunney. At 17, Tune enlisted in
the Navy and proudly served on the destroyer J.C. Owens in the Pacific
Theater. His ship cleared mines in Tokyo harbor as the war came to an
end. He returned home in 1946 and entered Colorado State College,
where he met the love of his life and wife of 55 years Ann Evalyn
(Evie) Wukovich. They started a family that would eventually include
three children and six grandchildren. It was while studying at CSC
that Eas tin took a class that set his life course. It was a class in
wrestling. He loved the individual responsibility of the sport and the
fact that kids of all sizes could participate. His senior year at CSC
in his home town of Wray, he assisted the head football coach. The
team finished one game shy of the State Championship. The head coach
left after that season and the players petitioned the school board to
have Tune take the job in spite of his youth and lack of experience.
The school board was rewarded with five winning seasons from 1951 to
1957. It was in 1957 that Eastin made his mark on Colorado sports.
Recalling his love of wrestling, he created a program in Wray. Within
two years he took five wrestlers to the State meet and brought home
the first team championship in Wray history. At the end of that season
he was offered a position at newly built Phoenix Central High School.
As much as we loved Wray, he accepted the offer to improve the quality
of life for his growing family. In just two years at Central, Eastin
proved his ability by taking a young football team to an 8 to 1
record, the only loss coming by two points to a Yuma team lead by NFL
stalwart Curly Culp. At this time Phoenix College became aware of
Eastin and hired him to assist in their football programs and build
their fledgling wrestling team. In the ensuing 30 years Eastin did
much more than build a team. From 1962 to 1980 the Phoenix College
wrestling team became the start of excellence for wrestling all across
America. His team was in the top ten nationally for all of those years
and culminated by winning back to back National titles in 1968 and
1969. Eastin was named National Coach of the Year by the NJCAA in
1967. It was during this period that Eastin's junior college teams
would routinely defeat teams from four year colleges like ASU and 
U of A and ASC (now known as NAU). He was ultimately recognized for
his efforts by being named to the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in
1978. Tune was a lso one of the founders of the Fiesta Bowl and served
as a member of the American Olympic committee. Eastin's success as a
coach should not be measured by his victories. It is more important
that he be remembered for the great difference he made in his young
athlete's lives. Many of them went on to compete at the Division one
Level with several becoming NCAA All Americans as well as Olympic Team
members. More importantly they went on to lead productive lives that
have had a positive effect on society. A testament of this was the
endless parade of former wrestlers and football players that came to
visit Tune as he lingered near death. Their fears and stories of "the
old days" were an eloquent testimony of their love for this man. To
mention any names would do an injustice of their sheer numbers. He
mentored and loved them all as equals regardless of their success or
ethnicity. His teams were always a glorious cultural melting pot.
After retiring form PC, Eastin continued to support his beloved sport
by providing wrestling mats across the state for all of the State
tournaments. Perhaps the best testament to Tunie's ability came in
1958. The Principals Principals of Central High needed a tennis coach.
Eastin had never coached or played the game, but of course, the team
had a stand out record. At the end of the season, the principal said
to one of his associates, "That Eastin, he can coach anything". Tune
is survived by his beloved wife (names of living deleted), son,
daughters (all teachers). Two sisters and six grandchildren. He will
be missed and remembered! 
Memorial services will be held at 10am on Saturday, September 14th at
Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests that donations be made to The Tune Scholarship Trust,
P. O. Box 47327, Phoenix AZ 85068.

Arizona Republic, The (Phoenix, AZ) 
Date: September 12, 2002
Edition: Final Chaser
Page: B8


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