Eugene Diaz Jr., known simply as “Coach” by his thousands of students, was born on Jan. 25, 1952, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, a son to Sally (Smith) and Eugene Diaz Sr. At only eight months of age, he contracted Polio, which left his right leg paralyzed. Despite such rough beginnings, he attended Golden Glade Grade School, Carol City High School and Miami-Dade Junior College. During that time, at age 14, he became interested in gymnastics, and his love for the sport lasted a lifetime.
In 1970, Gene was recruited by West Virginia University to compete on the men’s gymnastics team. In the late 1970s, he became the head men’s gymnastics team coach at West Virginia University. He also taught children’s gymnastics in the Monongalia County Community Schools program. When the continuation of men’s gymnastics at WVU became uncertain, he began working to develop his own program, which would result in the establishment of Gymorgantown and Gymuniontown.
In 1988, he took his passion to the next level and began working on his vision of a state-of-the-art gymnastics training facility. In 1989, his dream finally came true in the form of the West Virginia Gymnastics Training Center. However, on Jan. 5, 1991, a horrific automobile accident left him a quadriplegic. But just as Polio did not stop him from being a competitive gymnast, quadriplegia would not prevent him from coaching the sport he loved. To the contrary, Gene continued his work at what was affectionately known as “the gym,” six days per week, until early 2020 when his failing health began to limit his ability to leave home.
Despite his lifelong journey of repetitive obstacles, his love of gymnastics, family and abiding faith in Jesus Christ never faltered. While being sadly missed, we rejoice in his new and perfected life on the other side.
Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his wife, Shirley; three sons, Stephen, Kevin Sawyer (Lara Jones) and Sean Sawyer (Julie); grandsons, Ryan, Izaiah and Nicholas Sawyer; step-grandchildren, Christopher, Chase and Corinne Snider; and countless friends and former
students.
Friends may join the family to honor his life and legacy at Morris Funeral Home, located at 160 Railroad Ave. West, Cowen WV, 26206, from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, and from 11 a.m.-noon on Friday, Oct. 29, at which time a memorial service will be led by family friend, Larry Lovely, followed by final rest and interment at Mills Mountain Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to Gene’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tenn., by visiting www.stjude.org.
Condolences:
www.morrisfuneralhomecowenwv.com
