Allan Book

Charles Allan “Coach” Book was born on September 8, 1940 in Colorado Springs to Charles O. Book and Juanita Grundeitz Book. He passed away peacefully in Simla on February 16, 2022. His parents were separated at a young age and both remarried which blessed Allan with two caring families that raised him giving him 3 brothers and 4 sisters. He attended school in Rush, Colorado Springs, California, Germany, and graduated from high school in Enid, OK. After high school, he attended Pueblo Jr. College and then transferred to CSC (UNC) where he met his wife and was married in 1963. They both graduated in 1964, and he began his teaching and coaching at Saint Mary’s High School. He had an opportunity to come to the country and started at Simla in 1965. He taught and coached at both Simla and Air Academy for a combined 30 plus years. Allan had a passion for teaching and coaching and had the privilege of working with 2 generations of outstanding students and staff. He was known as a man of honor and his handshake was his greeting and his word and was something you didn’t soon forget. During the summers, he was taking kids to camps or building, remodeling, or repairing many of the homes in the Simla area. He was a perfectionist which came from his dad and those he worked for. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years Judy, his 3 sons, Richard (Shannon) Book of Swink, CO, Greg (Sharonda) Book of Katy, TX, and Kenny (Sharla) Book of Karval, CO; sisters Connie Roseman of Anchorage, AK, Sally Potts of Colorado Springs, CO, Tina (Jim) Lane of Cedaredge, CO, and Terri (Shawn) Rice of Houston, TX; brothers Rick (Chris) Book of Delaware, OH, Terry (Marikate) Book of Wilsonville, OR, and Mike (Kay) McGann of Bellvue, NE; 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and a wonderful supportive community. Services will be held February 25, 2022 at the Big Sandy School with the viewing at 9:00 A.M. and the service to follow at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Big Sandy Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, PO Box 212, Simla, CO 80835 or the Simla Methodist Church, PO Box 1, Simla, CO 80835, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.