John "Jack" Peter Mahlstede Iii
August 29, 1938 — January 24, 2019
John "Jack" Peter Mahlstede III, 80, was born on August 29, 1938 in Bell, California and passed away on January 24, 2019 at his home in Downey, California with his loving family by his side. He was born to John Peter Mahlstede Jr of Illinois and Marjorie Stephens of Utah.
Jack was one of the most recognizable sports figures in the Santa Fe Springs and Whittier community after spending more than 40 years coaching teams at Santa Fe High School. He passed away early Thursday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.
"Coach" was most known for what he did with the Chiefs’ football teams, winning 16 Del Rio League championships during two separate stints with the football team. But he also coached cross county and track during a career that spanned from 1970-2011. His team also won 10 Del Rio League boys track titles, nine girls track titles and five in cross country. He was so revered that soon after his retirement, Santa Fe High named its new football and track stadium after him during a ceremony in 2014.
On Monday, just three days before Coach Mahlstede died, the Santa Fe High School band, led by director Terry Dawson, performed in front of Coach’s home along with the cheer and tall flags teams. As they performed “Cherokee,” Jack made his way to the door and gave them a thumps up for their performance. The streets were blocked off and it took two busloads to get all the students there.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Billie Marie Mahlstede of Downey, son Kenny (Cindy) Mahlstede of La Habra and son Jeff (Sylvia) Mahlstede of Whittier, who both played for him and coached with him at Santa Fe. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Adrian John Mahlstede of Whittier, Christian Juventino Mahlstede of Whittier, Kyle Taylor Mahlstede of La Habra and Kaylee Chrysann Mahlstede of La Habra. Two of his grandchildren also played for him at Santa Fe. He also leaves his brothers, Lee Stephens (Reta) Mahlstede of Kaysville, Utah and Michael Dee Mahlstede of Downey, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
“I was so proud to be his wife for 59 years,” an emotional Billie said. “I admired how he turned boys into men. He was a very modest person and loved coaching kids. That was our life.” Most important to Jack was his family. Next was the kids he coached who grew in to men and became his lifelong friends. One of his favorite hobbies was fishing. Over the years, a group of former players, coaches, friends, city employees enjoy a fishing weekend in Bishop, CA. The group has grown over the years to over 100 men for this reunion weekend. Jack's legacy will live on forever and he will be greatly missed by all those who had the honor of knowing him. It was an emotional day Thursday for the family, who learned of his cancer back in November.
“It was something that came on all of a sudden,” his son Jeff said. “He battled but it was a very aggressive cancer.”
Jack's Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at 11:00am in the Santa Fe Springs High School North Gymnasium.
In lieu of Flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made to "Santa Fe Education Foundation C/O Jack Mahlstede". All proceeds will go directly to benefit Santa Fe High School. At this time, the SFHS Education Foundation is set up to receive checks via mail to 10400 Orr and Day Road, SFS, CA 90670. Please note “JACK MAHLSTEDE” in the memo section of the check. An automated payment feature is in the process of being set up. Please check back to this page soon for a link to donate via Paypal. Please continue sharing your favorite memories, photos, anecdotes, & Jack-isms!
Jack was one of the most recognizable sports figures in the Santa Fe Springs and Whittier community after spending more than 40 years coaching teams at Santa Fe High School. He passed away early Thursday after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.
"Coach" was most known for what he did with the Chiefs’ football teams, winning 16 Del Rio League championships during two separate stints with the football team. But he also coached cross county and track during a career that spanned from 1970-2011. His team also won 10 Del Rio League boys track titles, nine girls track titles and five in cross country. He was so revered that soon after his retirement, Santa Fe High named its new football and track stadium after him during a ceremony in 2014.
On Monday, just three days before Coach Mahlstede died, the Santa Fe High School band, led by director Terry Dawson, performed in front of Coach’s home along with the cheer and tall flags teams. As they performed “Cherokee,” Jack made his way to the door and gave them a thumps up for their performance. The streets were blocked off and it took two busloads to get all the students there.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Billie Marie Mahlstede of Downey, son Kenny (Cindy) Mahlstede of La Habra and son Jeff (Sylvia) Mahlstede of Whittier, who both played for him and coached with him at Santa Fe. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Adrian John Mahlstede of Whittier, Christian Juventino Mahlstede of Whittier, Kyle Taylor Mahlstede of La Habra and Kaylee Chrysann Mahlstede of La Habra. Two of his grandchildren also played for him at Santa Fe. He also leaves his brothers, Lee Stephens (Reta) Mahlstede of Kaysville, Utah and Michael Dee Mahlstede of Downey, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
“I was so proud to be his wife for 59 years,” an emotional Billie said. “I admired how he turned boys into men. He was a very modest person and loved coaching kids. That was our life.” Most important to Jack was his family. Next was the kids he coached who grew in to men and became his lifelong friends. One of his favorite hobbies was fishing. Over the years, a group of former players, coaches, friends, city employees enjoy a fishing weekend in Bishop, CA. The group has grown over the years to over 100 men for this reunion weekend. Jack's legacy will live on forever and he will be greatly missed by all those who had the honor of knowing him. It was an emotional day Thursday for the family, who learned of his cancer back in November.
“It was something that came on all of a sudden,” his son Jeff said. “He battled but it was a very aggressive cancer.”
Jack's Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at 11:00am in the Santa Fe Springs High School North Gymnasium.
In lieu of Flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made to "Santa Fe Education Foundation C/O Jack Mahlstede". All proceeds will go directly to benefit Santa Fe High School. At this time, the SFHS Education Foundation is set up to receive checks via mail to 10400 Orr and Day Road, SFS, CA 90670. Please note “JACK MAHLSTEDE” in the memo section of the check. An automated payment feature is in the process of being set up. Please check back to this page soon for a link to donate via Paypal. Please continue sharing your favorite memories, photos, anecdotes, & Jack-isms!
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