Michael Koury was born Aug. 21, 1950, in Holbrook. He passed away on Sept. 24, 2023. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, John and Annie (Setka) Koury. He is survived by his two brothers, Eddie (Lynda) Koury and John “Pat” (Christi) Koury of Globe; and his sister, Mary Whitten of Peoria; 11 nephews and nieces; and 18 great-nephews and nieces. “Uncle Mike” was the most respected member of the Koury family as his wisdom and assistance could never be matched. Mike graduated from Holbrook High School in 1968 as the student body president and salutatorian. While attending high school, he was a three-time state finalist in wrestling and won multiple outstanding wrestler awards. He then attended Arizona State University where he earned three varsity letters. Mike graduated from Arizona State as the number one male graduate receiving the “Male Scholar of the Year” award. His diploma was presented to him in bronze by the governor of Arizona with his mother Annie, who was the number one graduate, from the same institution in the 1930’s. After returning to Holbrook to teach math, Mike decided to pursue a vocation as a Roman Catholic priest. After two years he decided he could not become the next “Father Flannigan of Boys Town” and returned to coaching and teaching at Peoria High School. Mike never wanted to be burdened with the duties of a head coach. His interest was being the mat coach in the wrestling room. Mike was named to the Arizona/National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Peoria High School Hall of Fame, and was the National Assistant Coach of the Year in 1997. Mike was an assistant coach for over 40 years and produced many team and individual champions. He coached over 80 individual regional champions, 30 individual state champions, two four-time individual state champions, four world team members to Iran, Sweden, Turkey and Serbia, two national champions, nine All-Americans, coached the 1981 World Greco-Roman Cadet Wrestling Team to Stockholm Sweden, coached the 1982 World Freestyle Cadet Wrestling Team to Iran, and assisted in winning over seven team state championships in the state of Arizona. He helped win over 20 consecutive regional championships from 1979 until 1999. He also helped win four consecutive state championships in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Mike ran numerous wrestling tournaments including all Arizona State Championships for many years. Mike will be remembered by his students and athletes as one of the most intelligent teachers and coaches that they have been around. Whether you had him for computers, math, as a chess club sponsor, or wrestling; he was a teacher that made connections with all his kids. He was in the kid business. He probably worked best with the kids that others couldn’t work with because of his patience and kind heart. He believed that all kids could be saved. His legacy will be remembered forever by all who have crossed his path. He was the most selfless man that you could ever meet, and befriended all who came into his life. Services will be held with Rosary at 10:15 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 11 a.m., on Oct. 14, at Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church, located at 14818 W. Deer Valley Drive, in Sun City West. Lunch and Celebration of Life to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peoria High School wrestling program, Attn. Bookstore, 11200 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, Ariz., 85345 or the Arizona State University Wrestling program @thesundevils.com. Please notate in memory of Mike Koury on the memo line.
