Rade Radasinovich was born September 1, 1932, to Daniel and Anna Veronica Radasinovich and passed peacefully from this life at the age of 91 years, 9 months and 17 days on June 17, 2024.
Rade grew up in Aliquippa, Pa., and graduated from Hopewell High School. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1951. He served in the Korean War and was medically discharged in 1954 after a bomb exploded very near him and left shrapnel in his head. During his time in service, Rade earned a Purple Heart Medal, Korean Service Medal, U.N. Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Award. His favorite quote was “Once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine “ and he was VERY PROUD to have served his country as a U.S. Marine. After the Marines, Rade went to Kilgore College to play football then transferred to Northwestern University in Natchitoches, La., where he finished his football career, earned his degree and where he met his bride, Janet.
Once he received his bachelor’s degree, he began teaching Geography at Northwestern. Then, in 1965, he and Janet moved to Durant, and he began his 30-year teaching career at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Rade loved teaching Geography. He truly cared for all his students. On the first day of class, he pronounced his last name to the students and if they couldn’t pronounce it, “Mr. Rad” would be okay. He also told them if they only showed up for class and participated, they would at least pass the class but always encouraged them to learn something.
Rade also coached Little League, Pony League and American Legion baseball (all teams that Danny, his son, played on). Once his “Dad coaching career” was over, he began umpiring, which he did until he was 78 years old. He told players he could call a strike by the sound the ball made when it hit the catcher’s glove and it was rare that a player ever argued a call with him! After ending his umpiring career, he began attending the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Softball games. If there was a home game, Rade was front row, at the fence, cheering his team on. Rade also spent many years hunting, fishing and playing golf.
Rade was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Anna V. Radasinovich; his wife, Janet and granddaughter, Sara Marie Ziegler.
He is survived by his son, Daniel Radasinovich of Kingston, Okla.; daughter, Anna Marie Ziegler and husband Dan of Conroe, Texas; grandchildren: Cassidy Seely and husband Stephen of Okarche, Okla., Kelsey Arias of Tuttle, Okla., Joey Radasinovich of Kingston, Okla., Adam Ziegler and wife Summerr of Conroe, Texas, Luke Ziegler of Conroe, Texas and Honey Ziegler and fiancé AJ of Flowery Branch, Ga.; great-grandchildren: Breyden Fipps, Gavin Rade Soles, Henry and Frankie Seely; and Kilyn and Presley Arias; sister, Mitzi Roppo of Aliquippa, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. on July 13, 2024, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, located at 1524 W. Main Street in Durant.
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service.