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    Photo: Photo/The Guillotine

    Minnesota HOF coach Dravis passes away

    Minnesota Hall of Fame coach Don Dravis of Staples (Minn.) passed away on Nov. 3. He was 82 years old.

    Dravis' Staples teams won seven state championships and were runners-up four times. He received National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year honors in 1980 and 1981.

    Dravis was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter in 2003 and the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1981.

    Don Dravis Obituary:

    Donald Jerome Dravis passed away November 3, 2019, peacefully surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 8, 2019, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, MN. A visitation will be one hour prior. An additional visitation will be Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 4-8:00 PM, with a prayer service at 7:45 PM.

    Don Dravis (left) with friend Ted Lelwica (Photo/The Guillotine)
    Don was born Nov. 2, 1937, in Minneapolis to William and Pearl (Gunderson) Dravis. Don graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1955. He married Mary Sedivy in Glencoe in 1960. Don attended college in Mankato where he wrestled, earning the title of All American Wrestler at Mankato State. He finished his degree at St. Cloud State. He worked as an Industrial Arts teacher for 32 years in Staples until his retirement. Don coached wrestling and achieved 7 state titles. He was a Staples volunteer firefighter for 22 years, and a member of the Staples Lions Club. He was a Lions member for 43 years and earned the Helen Keller Award, as well as the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was a past president of the MN Coaches Association. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, wrestling, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

    Don's numerous achievements included the Duane R Lund Award for Lifetime Achievement Wrestling Career of 401 Match Wins, 7 state team championship titles, 14 individual state championships, 1976 MN Coach of The Year, 1987 MN Wrestling Coach of The Year, 1980 USA Wrestling Coach of The Year, 1980 Sports Illustrated recognition, 1981 National Wrestling Coach of The Year, 1996 USA State Man of The Year, 2001 MSHSL Distinguished Service Award, 2003 MSHSL Hall of Fame Award, 2003 MN Chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame, 1993 Firefighter of the Year, and 2018 Staples-Motley Athletic Hall of Fame.

    Don is survived by his loving wife Mary of 59 years; daughter Paula (Mark) Redemske and their children Alyssa, Brian, and Cal; son Greg (Traci) Dravis and their children Derek and Casey; son Blaine (Dana) Dravis and their children Jake, Matt and Sarah; son Jeff (Tara) Dravis and their children Justin, Cody, Taylor, Kate; daughter Mary Jo (Jim) Otteson and their children Garrett and Trevor; and his brother Brian.

    Don is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Roger.
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