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In Memoriam

Daniel "Dan" Hovanesian - Class Of 1942

Daniel "Dan" Hovanesian, son of Charles (1888-1954) and Marnos (Derkoorkanian) (1892-1961) Hovanesian, was born 6 December 1923 Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.  He graduated from Okemos High School in 1942.  Dan enlisted in the US Army 18 February 1943 at Kalamazoo, Michigan and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and in North Africa. After honorable military discharge Dan became an icon in Central Michigan area due to his unprecedented talent in coaching high school basketball.  Dan died 18 December 2015 Williamston, Ingham County, Michigan.  He was interred, as were his parents, in Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, Ingham County.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 23 September 1943

SON IN ARMY - Selling entire herd of Holstein and Jersey cows and heifers.  Charles Hovanesian, past Mt. Hope on South Hagadorn Rd.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 22 December 2015

Daniel, 92, of Okemos, MI...One of central Michigan's most celebrated high school coaches, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Riverwind Assisted Living facility in Williamston. He was born the son of Charles and Marnos (DerKoorkanian) Hovanesian.

Dan served in the anti-aircraft infantry the U.S. Army during WWII, having fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in Northern Africa. Dan was best known for an illustrious coaching career with the Holt High School Ram's boy's basketball team from 1953 to 1979, where his career record of 348 wins and 165 losses is celebrated still today. Dan led his teams to numerous district, regional, and quarterfinal titles and to the state finals in 1974.

Dan was admitted to the Basketball Coaches of Michigan Hall of Fame in 1993. Said Walt Pawlowski, Holt athletic director in 1979, "I don't know of a coach who has been more dedicated and who has done as much for a school and community as Dan Hovanesian."

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister and brother-in-law, Isabel (Arthur) Redman; one brother, Joseph Hovanesian.

Surviving are his niece, Mary Ann Johnson and her son, Brian Johnson; nephew, John Hovanesian and his family.

Funeral services remembering Dan's life was held at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing Chapel, on Monday, December 28, 2015, Private interment took place at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Dan may be made to the Holt High School Athletic Department,

The last three years of Dan's life were spent at the Riverwind Assisted Living in Williamston, where Dan's family has been enormously grateful for the loving, caring environment they have shown to the "coach" during his stay.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 27 December 2015

By Tim Staudt, Staudt on Sports

Dan the man:  When I first went on air back in 1971 Holt High School boys basketball coach Dan Hovanesian was an icon in his profession.  His teams were always good, highlighted by the 1974 Rams' team's drive to the state championship game.  He always had a friendly smile and until I read his obituary this past week, I never knew he fought in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.  Many of his 92 years were spent lauding his community of Holt for which he was proud to be a member.  He didn't look like a basketball player - a bit small - but he knew his stuff and his players responded to his coaching.