Don Wilmoth may be best known as a longtime principal at Iola Middle School, but athletics also played a big role in his life, according to Bill Shirley, who served as Wilmoths assistant principal and took over the job after Wilmoth retired in 1995.
Wilmoth died Sunday at the age of 85. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Before he became principal in 1977, Wilmoth was a teacher and a coach at schools in Iola and Colony. He served as a football and basketball referee for the Kansas State High School Activities Association throughout his teaching career.
Prior to that, he played football for Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg.
But go even further back, to Wilmoths youth, for one of his more entertaining sports stories, Shirley said. Wilmoth told him about playing baseball as a child at a country school, back when one teacher taught children of all ages from nearby farms.
The teacher served as pitcher. A young Wilmoth approached the plate, settled into his stance, swung the bat and connected with a satisfying thunk.
Next pitch, same result, except the ball smacked the teacher right in the center of her forehead. Down she went.
I thought I killed her, Wilmoth told Shirley.
Wilmoth ran home to his familys farm where his father took the woman to a nearby hospital.
School was dismissed for the rest of the day. The teacher survived.
But from then on, the students eagerly awaited Wilmoths turn at bat, hoping he might give them another day off school.
I was the hero of the day, he told Shirley.
Fast forward a few decades. Wilmoth continued to serve as a champion for students as an administrator.
He loved the children, Shirley said. The only reason were here is for the kids. He said that many times.
Wilmoth encouraged his staff to remember that not all children come from loving, supportive backgrounds, and thats why they sometimes act out. Its important to keep a sense of humor, and find ways to appreciate every student, he said.
Wilmoth started a Teachers Advisor program to recognize students, including those who may not have been high achievers. Students were featured on a bulletin board with their picture and a short biography.
