Mickey Joseph Panovich

Mickey Joseph Panovich, born December 24, 1921 in Butte, Montana. Natural athlete, teacher, coach, and musician. Son of Joseph and Mileva (Sabovich) Panovich . A graduate of San Pedro High School in 1940, he attended UCLA and graduated with a BS in Physical Education and a minor in Music. While at UCLA he lettered four years on the basketball team and one year in track and field. He enlisted as a member of the ROTC and joined the paratroopers (506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division: "I" Company) as a 1st Lt. in WWII. He was wounded near Eindhoven, Holland and then returned to UCLA to play basketball and graduated in 1948.
A resident of the South Bay for over 70 years, he taught/coached basketball, golf, tennis, track, physical education, and mathematics at Gardena High School for 31 years. After retiring in 1982, he taught private tennis lessons and ran the South Bay Junior Tennis League. He played bridge competitively and became a Life Master. He also enjoyed watching and encouraging his five grandchildren in their sports and musical endeavors.
He is survived by his three daughters Linda Panovich-Sachs (Stuart) of CT, Kathleen P. Peterson (Jack) of Torrance, and Christine P. Ball (Christopher) of Rancho Palos Verdes; grandchildren Michael (Sarah), David, and Jenele Peterson and Nicholas and Preston Ball. Also survived by his sister Vera Carten; and predeceased by his sister Helen Draper.
Services to be held:

Saturday, September 29th. 1:30PM.
The Neighborhood Church
415 Paseo del Mar
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

In lieu of flowers:
The John Wooden Athletic Fund
UCLA Athletics
P.O. Box 24044
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310 206 3302




Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275