EOU Athletics Mourns the Passing of Dr. D James Tooke

LA GRANDE – (Information provided by EOU Athletics) It is with great sadness that Eastern Oregon University Athletics acknowledges the passing of Dr. D. James “Jim” Tooke.

Dr. Tooke served as the “Voice of the Mountaineers” from 1994 to 2007 announcing over 500 athletic contests. In addition to his service to athletics, Dr. Tooke served on countless university committees representing the interests of faculty and the College of Education.

He also taught mathematics at Eastern Oregon University. Dr. Tooke was a teacher first. He had a passion for it. He enjoyed announcing sporting events and was a key component of gameday at EOU. In his final year (2006-07) as the PA announcer for EOU Athletics, Dr. Tooke was enshrined into the Mountaineer Athletics Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service.

“Our sincere condolences are extended to Dr. Tooke’s wife Colleen and his family,” stated Robert Cashell, former EOU Director of Athletics and current Cascade Conference Commissioner. “Anyone familiar with Mountaineer Athletics understood that Jim’s passion for EOU ran deep. He provided hundreds, if not thousands of hours as the PA announcer for football and men’s and women’s basketball. While he focused on announcing those three sports he supported every student-athlete’s journey in their chosen sport, and more importantly, in their academic endeavors.”

Dr. Tooke was also known for his quick wit and storytelling. His work at EOU was key in helping grow the College of Education and he left an impact on many students. He loved country music, especially George Strait and Willie Nelson. He was a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy with an extensive T-shirt collection he donned daily.

Known as Jim, he was born July 22, 1943, in Enid, Oklahoma, but he was a Texan, tried and true. He spent many years around the San Antonio area. He received a doctorate in mathematics from Texas A&M University in 1986. He was a professor at several universities until his retirement from EOU in 2009. He married Colleen on May 20, 2005, and adopted her three children: Cory, Ryan and Kate.

Dr. Tooke is survived by his sisters, Susan Hodges of New Braunfels, Texas, Celia Kupersmith of Reno, Nevada, and Kate Newman of Dallas, Texas; wife, Colleen Tooke of La Grande; and children, Cory Macavoy of La Grande, Ryan Tooke, U.S. Air Force, and Kate Sanders of La Grande.

He was preceded in death by his adopted father, Howard Goldstucker, and his mother, Mary Jane Goldstucker. He was very close to both of them.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Post 43, La Grande. Arrangements are by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, La Grande. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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