Major Isadore H. Washington, Jr., a well-known coach in neighborhoods throughout Carson, passed away on December 22. He was 79 years old.
Isadore, known as “Issy” to family and friends, was born on August 17, 1937 in Columbus, Mississippi, but spent his school and young adult years in Tacoma, Washington The eldest of six children, he excelled in athletics, particularly basketball, where he played for Stadium High School and the University of Puget Sound basketball teams.
Upon graduation from the University of Puget Sound in 1961, he attended the Air Force Officer’s Training School and was commissioned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. His first assignment was at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in Plattsburgh, New York.
While stationed there in 1964, he married Gwendolyn Seales of Tacoma, Washington. Soon after, he was reassigned to Osan Air Force Base in South Korea. In 1965, after a tour of duty overseas, he moved with his family to Wichita, Kansas. Two years later, he and his family moved to Carson, California where he continued his military career as an accounting and finance officer at the Los Angeles Air Force Station, ROTC instructor at the University of Southern California and finally, the Hughes AFPRO Division.
During this time, 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 1981.
In 1979, after having successfully coached his sons and others for many years in the Carson Victoria Park basketball program, Issy 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,” said a family member.
He is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn; sons, Christopher and Issy III; grandchildren, Scott and Morgan Washington; siblings, Delmatine Ray, Herman Washington, Willie Washington, Beverly Ervin and Karl Washington; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate his life was held Jan. 8 at the Carson Community Center.