Steve George Gergeni

Steve Gergeni, former Director of Physical Education, Health and Safety for the Amarillo Independent School District, died April 24, 2010.  He was 91 years old.Steve was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, September 29, 1918 to Wendell and Christina Gergeni.  He has been a resident of Amarillo since 1949.  Steve retired from the Amarillo Public Schools in 1983.  He served as President of the Texas State Association of Physical Education and was the recipient of the Texas State Honor Award in 1970.He was a referee in football and basketball for the Southwest Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, Western Athletic Conference and the Border Conference for 30 years.   Among his career highlights were officiating in two NCAA Final Fours, two Sun Bowls, one Gator Bowl and one Sugar Bowl.  He worked games coached by the legendary John Wooten at UCLA, Darrell Royal at Texas and games played by Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson of Cincinnati.  He also officiated numerous NCAA Basketball playoffs.  He was also Athletic Director for Jefferson City, Missouri High School and returned to his Alma Mater as the Director of Physical Education and Coach at St. Benedictine College.  He was a Lieutenant in the Navy during World War II.  He was also Director of Physical Education in the US Canal Zone in Panama.Steve received his BS Degree from St. Benedictine College in Atchison and his MSS Degree from the University of Oklahoma.  He also did work on his Doctorate at OU.He was a Life Member of the National Education Association, the Texas Teachers Association and the Texas Retired Teachers Association.  In 1978, he was the recipient of the National Honor Award for City and County Directors at the New Orleans Convention.Steve served on many boards in Amarillo:  The Red Cross Board of Directors, Chairman of the Amarillo Traffic Commission, Chairman of the Amarillo County of Alcoholism, The Maverick Club Board, a member of the Crime Prevention Committee, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, The Commission of Operation Drug Alert, Member of the Panhandle Regional Health Council, The Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness, a Member of the Lung Association, on the board of Directors of the Harrington Cancer Center, United Way Board of Directors, Discovery Center Board of Directors, The Alamo Catholic School Board and Manager of the Western Riviera and Gem Lake Swim Clubs for 42 years.  He taught hundreds of children to swim.  He was also a Fellow for the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and was a lecturing Knight for the Elks Club.Steve was elected an Outstanding Educator of Who’s Who in America in 1994.  He was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Southwest Officials Association.  He was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame and the Raven Hall of Fame at St. Benedictine College in 2004.  Steve had a great love for life and people and was a great encouragement to others.  He loved the Lord and the Church, his country and his family and friends.  He enjoyed traveling, gardening, skiing, swimming, hunting, fishing, golfing, reading, playing Bridge and ALL sports.Steve was a member of the Church of Christ at the Colonies.  Steve was preceeded in death by his first wife Mildred Naberhaus Gergeni, a sister Anna Hendrix and his parents. He is survived by Marie, his wife of 20 years; his son Thomas Gergeni and wife Vicki of College Station, Texas; two daughters Becky Livingston and husband Lamar of Hurst, Texas and Lisa Brown of Amarillo, Texas; five grandchildren: Timm Gergeni, Stephen Gergeni, Colbie Lake, Scott Caldwell and Brandon Caldwell.Steve will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

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