GLASRA.org

• Home
• 2008 Re-Certification >>
  • Grade 9 Recertification
  • Bridge Class (9 to 8)
  • Grade 7 & 8 Recertification
  • High School Certification
• Assignments & Leagues >>
  • Assignments
  • Scheduling & Match Fees
  • League Rule Differences
  • Cautions and Send-Offs
• On the Field >>
  • Lightning >>
    • High School Rules
    • USSF Rules
  • Referee Assault
  • Maps to Fields
  • Detour to EL Complex
  • Badges
  • Uniforms
  • Assessments & Evaluations
  • Pay & Taxes
• About GLASRA >>
  • General Information Copy
  • Join GLASRA
  • National Referees
  • In Memoriam
  • Board Members
  • History in Photos
  • Bylaws
  • Disclaimer
  • Dues
• Links >>
  • Uniform Vendors
  • Referee Info & Leagues

Gary Boortz October 24, 1947 - November 2, 2004
Henderson, NV (formerly of Mason, MI)

Gary was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and son. Wise, warm and giving, he would do anything he could to help anyone in need. He graduated from Lincoln Park High School and Western Michigan University. For most of his career he worked in multiple departments with the State of Michigan. Gary excelled at hockey, and was a sports fan and avid supporter of the Red Wings, Tigers, Lions, and Pistons. He was also a soccer referee in the Lansing area for many years, and a former president of GLASRA. He always dreamed of moving west, and had only recently moved to Nevada. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Joy Boortz; and one brother, Richard. He is survived by three children William (Wanda) Boortz, Max Boortz, Emily (Jake) Green; one granddaughter, Madeline Green; sisters Sandra (Joe) Groat, and Jan (Jerry) Simons; brothers Doug (Judy) Boortz, and Dennis Boortz; and many nieces and nephews. Gary will be missed by many. Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association in memory of Gary Boortz.

Doug DeRose August 25, 1988 - May 16, 2003
Mason, MI

With his big brown eyes, and warm personality, Doug DeRose had a smile that could capture anybody. "He just lit up the room," his mother, Mary Lantzy, said. "You couldn't help but love Doug." The 14-year-old Mason Middle School 8th grader was looking forward to a summer of fun with family and friends, and playing soccer at Mason High School. Doug was a GLASRA member, having just certified as a US Soccer Federation referee. He was looking forward to working his first soccer match. His life, full of many friends and a lot of love, ended much too soon. Doug was struck by a vehicle while jogging near his home in Mason (see Update below). He leaves behind his parents, brother Michael and stepsisters Stephanie and Tori. Doug, a soccer player since kindergarten, was conditioning for the sport all the time, said his stepfather, Bill Lantzy. "He was always on the go... a big-time soccer player," Lantzy said. Doug, along with his teammates with Capital Area United... a Lansing-based soccer team playing in the statewide Michigan Premier League... was set to play in a State Cup tournament in Midland, but his untimely death changed that. Coach Rod Murphy forfeited the game. "Doug was a very confident young man without any trace of conceit," Murphy said. "He was very, very well liked by his teammates because of his hard work." Teammate Dan Bachelder recalled a May 10 soccer game in Farmington where Doug scored three of the team's five goals. Dan, also 14, spent every day of the week with Doug. The two lived a few blocks apart and had played on the same soccer team since the second grade. They went to the same church and often golfed together. "He was basically a brother to me," Dan said. "He was my best friend." Doug was always smiling, and he could never stay mad about anything for more than 30 seconds, his brother Michael DeRose said. Stepsister Stephanie Lantzy said Doug was so well liked that kids would fight to sit next to him at lunch in grade school. He was giving until the end, she said, adding that Doug donated his organs to others. "He saved people's lives," she said. (Excerpted and adapted from an article by Tracy Burton, Lansing State Journal)

UPDATE, April 14, 2004: William Nichols, 73, was sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court to two years probation for Reckless Driving, a criminal conviction. He also surrendered his driver license for life. Prosecutors said Nichols failed to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming driver who then swerved to avoid Nichols' vehicle and hit Doug who was jogging by the side of the road. Nichols will avoid a trial and jail time, but will be on non-reporting probation for two years (authorities will periodically check his driver record to assure that he has not been charged with any violations). Both Nichols' attorney and Doug's family expressed satisfaction with the sentence.

A civil suit is pending.