Social Studies
Christopher Sarmiento, 33
Died February 19, 2021.
Vista Middle School, Las Cruces, NM
Christopher Jacob Sarmiento was born on July 17th, 1987 to Esteban Sarmiento and Maria Elena Sarmiento (Irrobali) in El Paso, TX. He was called to be with our Lord on Friday, February 19th, 2021 after losing his hard-fought battle to COVID-19.
He is survived by is wife Mary Sarmiento (Gamez), Daughters Marley, Mahaley, son Christopher Jr., mother, Siblings Joseph, Esteban (Anel), Marie, Johnathan (Vanessa), Richard (Norma), and Michael (Samantha), and nieces and nephews. He committed his life to the service of our Lord and along with wife and children attended Abundant Living Faith Center in El Paso, TX. Christopher graduated from Jefferson High School and went on to obtain his teaching degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Chris tutored ESL students at Bowie HS, completed his student teaching at Brown Middle School, worked at Anthony HS, and most recently dedicated his last two years to Vista Middle School in Las Cruces where he taught 6th &7th grade Social Studies and helped coach the 8th grade football team. Chris grew up without a father. Therefore, he made it his life mission to help mentor young boys that needed a father figure in their lives. He did not always make the best decisions growing up, so he wanted to help those boys make better decisions than he made. He coached football to help young athletes understand that, yes, the love of sports is important, but doing well academically is just as important. He wanted them to know that it is okay to make mistakes and wrong decisions; the important thing is that you continue to push forward and work hard for second chances.
His grandfather has a park named after him in Segundo Barrio, “Tula Irrobali Park”. It was named after Tula because of the work he did to help at risk youth get away from gangs by playing sports. Chris wanted to follow his example and honor his grandfather’s legacy through his own work with youth and sports. From his colleague: “Chris was truly one in a million and one of God’s special angels. He always took the time to make everyone that he encountered feel special. He was funny and joked with his students all of the time. I cannot tell you how many students, many who were not even in his class, would stop by during passing periods to see him. I used to tease him and call him Prom King because he always had a group surrounding him. I will truly miss his presence. He brought peace and calm to meetings, which we needed! It was wonderful to work with him. He told me about how your oldest played basketball and was so smart. He talked about your small daughter being full of life and so carefree and fun. He talked about how tired he was when your son was born and how much he loved his children.” He may have looked rough and tough on the outside, but on the inside, he had one of the biggest hearts ever known. He was selfless and always willing and ready to help. Devoted father, loving husband, caring son and brother, loyal friend, dedicated teacher and coach.
Ismael Arce, 51
Died January 28, 2021.
Tucson High Magnet School, Tucson, AZ
Social Studies, Soccer Coach
TUSD’s governing board will on Tuesday honor former Tucson High boys soccer coach Ismael Arce, who died Jan. 28 from COVID-19. He was 51.
The board will remember Arce and the seven other TUSD employees who have died of the virus in the last year during their scheduled meeting, a district spokesperson said.
Arce coached the Badgers’ boys team for 19 seasons, winning the 2014 Division II state title while going undefeated.
Badgers athletic director Bobby DeBerry said Monday that Arce was well-liked by students and faculty alike.
“Being here at Tucson High for almost 20 years, he was a cornerstone here,” DeBerry said. “He was a good coach, the kind of coach that players go to. He was good with his kids, managing … their teenage years. And he was a good mentor.”
Tucson High’s 2014 team might have been Arce’s best. Led by striker Julian Gaona and his 32 goals, the Badgers went 24-0-3. Their 3-0 win over Glendale Copper Canyon in the Division II championship game secured the program’s first-ever state crown and the first state title by any Tucson High team since 1988.
Arce was named the Star’s 2014 boys soccer coach of the year, while Gaona earned player of the year honors. In a 2019 column, the Star’s Greg Hansen rated the Badgers as the 10th-best team of the decade, all sports and all levels.
Arce referred to the season as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. DeBerry said the undefeated state title run was “a huge deal” in the community.
David Lee Carey, 69
Died January 18, 2021.
Mary Persons High School, Forsyth, GA
Social Studies, Basketball, Football, and Track Coach
David Lee Carey, 69, known to most as Coach Carey, passed away January 18, 2021. David was born February 2, 1951 in Wrightsville, GA to the late David Roy and Jessie Kate Carey. David graduated from Appling High School, earned a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Education from Fort Valley State University and earned a Specialist Degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and was a member of Covenant Life Cathedral Church.
David served as an educator for over 30 years. He taught in Bibb County Public Schools at Southeast High School and Southwest High School. For the last 25 years, he served as an educator and coach in Monroe County Schools at Mary Persons High School.
David is survived by his wife, Shirley Carey; children, Reggie Lamar, Dr. Chasha Colbert-Williams (Terrance), and Leander Carey; grandchildren, Jamir Corbitt and Catherine Williams; sisters, Doretha Colbert, Joann Carey, Julyn Barron, Janie Carey; brothers Lafayette Carey, James L. Carey, Felix Carey.
A graveside celebration of life will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:00 AM. Due to COVID-19, we are asking only family and close friends attend, wear a mask and respectfully distance.
Cherie Dandurand, 53
Died January 6, 2021.
Woodbury Central Middle School, Moville, IA
Social Studies, Volleyball Coach
The Woodbury Central School District is mourning the loss of a beloved teacher who died of COVID-19.
Now, family, friends and loved ones are honoring the 53-year-old educator, wife, mother and great friend, who inspired her students and her community.
Loving, caring, kind, and amazing.
These are just a few words many use to describe Cherie Dandurand.
“Loved working with kids, was able to reach out, especially struggling kids and get them more involved in school,” Superintendent Douglas Glackin said.
Dandurand taught social studies at Woodbury Central Middle School in Moville.
Superintendent Glackin witnessed her hard work ethic firsthand, as she was heavily involved in numerous committees.
“She was part of our safety committee. She was part of our leadership team. She was part of our character counts team. She was part of our school improvement team,” Glackin said.
But now, her classroom sits quiet and empty after COVID-19 claimed her life Wednesday, Jan. 6th.
It was news that devastated not only the small town of Moville, but her past and present students, too, as well as everyone else’s life she’s touched.
“There was just such a deep feeling of loss,” Glackin said.
Dandurand’s sister-in-law, Laura Dandurand, was very close to her over the years.
“She always cared about her kids and her job and I mean kids, not just her own two boys, Richard and Ed, but her students,” Laura Dandurand said.
And, as Dandurand’s family and loved ones continue to grieve, they are urging the community to take COVID-19 seriously.
“You don’t want to be that person that ends up being the one that gets hit really, really hard. Just wearing a mask and everyone wearing a mask and, greatly help with that,” Dan Dandurand said.
This would’ve been Dandurand’s 30th year at Woodbury Central.
She was also a volleyball coach and a mentor to her fellow colleagues.
Dandurand is survived by her husband and two sons.