Coach dies on run

I ran against Kevin's team in high school, and ran with him many times at running camps and during college. He was a total class act, and one of the most down to earth people I have ever met. He was still quite competitive just a few years ago. A total shock.

Obituary: Kevin C. Gatons / Runner, marathoner, track coach at Greensburg Salem

Aug. 29, 1960 - Nov. 3, 2006

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

By Colin Dunlap, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

To his final earthly moment, Kevin C. Gatons of Greensburg was an unyielding runner and a tremendous coach.

Mr. Gatons, 46, cross-country and track assistant coach at Greensburg Salem High School for 12 years, died Friday in Hershey as he was negotiating the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championship cross-country course during a warm-up session with one of the school's student athletes.

Mr. Gatons, an accomplished runner who routinely competed in marathons, and scholastic runner Samantha Bower were about one mile into a workout when Mr. Gatons fell to the ground.

His wife, Cheryl Gatons, said her husband died of a heart attack.

Mrs. Gatons said she found solace in the knowledge that her husband of eight years was doing two of the three favorite things in his life -- running and coaching. Spending time with his three small children -- Sydney, 6, Quintin, 3, and Lillian, 1 -- was Mr. Gatons' unequaled favorite activity.

"There is a peace in everything and how it happened because he was truly doing what he loved as he left us," Mrs. Gatons said. "Kevin loved it, he loved running and he was there for the kids who he was a coach to whenever they needed him. He would always tell them, 'Don't give up, give it everything you have and push through everything.' He was coaching and running until his final moment."

It was at the 1994 Columbus, Ohio, marathon that Kevin met Cheryl, who is also an accomplished distance runner. The two ran the Boston Marathon together this past spring.

"My husband was such an amazing man," Mrs. Gatons said. "Right before he fell, he ran past [Baldwin High School cross-country coach] Rich Wright and tapped him on the shoulder and told him and his team, 'Good luck.' Rich said that Kevin had the biggest smile on his face and that is how I am going to remember him and how everyone should remember him -- running with a big smile.

"I'll remember that smile when I look at my three children and when they get older, they'll be able to understand exactly what a great man their father was and how many lives that he touched through coaching and running."

Mr. Gatons, a 1978 Hempfield Area High School graduate, was a fifth-grade teacher at Hutchinson Elementary School in Southwest Greensburg. He was working toward his principal's certification at St. Vincent College, from which he graduated in 1982.

In addition to his wife and children, Mr. Gatons is survived by his parents, Terrence and Patricia Gatons of Greensburg; a brother, Michael Gatons of Greensburg; and two sisters, Susan Rhome of Greensburg and Elizabeth Clement of the North Hills.

I'm absolutely speechless. Gatons was a class act, one of the nicest guys I've met through running. He kicked my ass more times than I could ever count. He will be sorely missed by all.

Incidentally, his wife is the former Cheryl Collins who represented the United States in the 1997 World Championships in the marathon.