Willard "Jake" Gores

Willard J. "Jake" Gores, 95, formerly of 315 Maple Avenue, Fond du Lac, died August 6, 2010 at St. Francis Home. He was born on January 26, 1915, in Fond du Lac, the son of William and Stella Resch Gores. He graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School as class president in 1933. In 1938, he graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha. He also earned a master's degree from U.W. Madison. On April 29, 1939, he married Agnes Schroeder at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fond du Lac. Jake was an outstanding athlete in football and baseball, and was the captain of both his high school and college football teams. He was a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Fond du Lac High School for forty-two years. He was the High School Athletic Director of the Year in the State of Wisconsin in 1977. An athletic field was named in his honor at the former Goodrich High School site. He was inducted into the Carroll College Hall of Fame in 2009.SURVIVORS: his son, John, of Fond du Lac; three daughters, Ann (Bob) Somers, Ripon, WI; Mary (Larry) Williams, Fond du Lac; and Katie Baker, Fond du Lac; one sister-in-law, Jeannine Gores, Fond du Lac; grandchildren, Nancy, Michael, John, Melissa, Tanya, Katie, Carissa, and Haley; great grandchildren, Keagan, Rory, Amelia, Landen, Everleigh, Tennyson, and Lily. His wife, Agnes, two brothers, Stan and William Jr., three sisters, Kate, Ruth, and Estelle, preceded him in death.



According to his wishes, private services were held at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home on August 9, 2010. The Rev. Robert A. Fictum officiated, and burial was in St. Charles Cemetery. The family wishes to especially thank the employees on second floor of St. Francis Skilled Nursing for their care and concern.A memorial has been established in his name. Additional information and guestbook can be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.