Major Isadore H. Washington, Jr.

8/17/37  -  12/22/16

            Isadore, known as Issy to family and friends, passed away on December 22, 2016.  He was born in Columbus, Mississippi, but spent his school and young adult years in Tacoma, Washington   He was the eldest of six children and excelled in athletics, partiularly basketball, where he played for his high school and university team, Universiity of Puget Sound.  Upon graduation, he attended Air Force Officer's Training School and was commissioned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.   After several years, he and his family moved to Carson, California in 1967, where he continued his military career, while he and his wife, Gwen, raised two sons, Christoper and Issy III.  He retired from the Air Force as a major from Hughes AFPRO in 1982.

            In 1979 after having successfully  coached his sons and others in the local park basketball program, he created a basketball league for high school players called Slam-N-Jam.  This league provided an additional source of competitive play for players to continue to develop their game throughout the spring and summer.  Slam-N-Jam eventually  became known as one of  the premier basketball programs in the United States.  College scouts from the  entire nation attended Slam-N-Jam games and tournaments, looking to recruit potential players for their basketball programs.  Coach Washington ran the league for 25 years and his impact on high school basketball continues today through former players, coaches and parents.  He lived an examplary life, a dedicated husband and father who served his country and his community.

            He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn, sons Christopher and Issy III, grandchildren, Scott and Morgan Washington and siblings, Delmatine Ray, Herman Washington, Willie Washington, Beverly Ervin and Karl Washington.