A celebration of Missel's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in the Harold Weis Memorial Building, 300 W. Idaho Avenue in Roslyn.

 Missel coached three seasons at Eastern (2000-02), being the Eagles' assistant head coach under Paul Wulff in 2001 and 2002. As a position coach, Missel worked with the defensive line in 2000 and 2001 and the   linebackers in 2002. In 2000, his defense ranked sixth nationally in NCAA Division I-AA, limiting opponents to 98.4 average yards per game.

 At Western, Missel coached nine years (1991-1999) under head coach Rob Smith, the last four as defensive coordinator. During that stretch as DC, the Vikings held the opposition to 20.1 points per game and posted   seven shutouts.

 With Missel directing the defense in 1996, the Vikings reached the NAIA Division II national championship game, leading the Columbia Football Association (CFA) in every team defensive category and being ranked   seventh nationally in rushing defense (99.5 avg.).

 In 1999, Western was third among NCAA Division II football schools in rushing defense (79.1 avg.) and led the CFA in scoring defense (19.4 avg.) for the third straight year. The Vikings finished 8-2 and reached the   first round of the national playoffs.

 During Missel's tenure, Western made five national championship playoff appearances and won two CFA titles.


Missel received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and economics at WWU in 1983. He started and lettered two years in football for the Vikings as an offensive center, earning Evergreen Conference honorable mention in 1981.

 Missel also earned letters at Montana State University and Spokane Falls CC. He was a second-team all-league choice at SFCC, playing on a Northwest Athletic   Conference championship squad.

 Missel attended Mead High School in Spokane and graduated from Interlake High School in Bellevue where he was a member of two Class AAA state   championship  teams. He served five years as an assistant coach   at Interlake prior to his collegiate coaching career.

 Missel also served as an Investigator and Auditor with the United States Treasury Department.  In 2008 he opened a private practice as licensed private investigator   and was a qualified instructor for the National   Highway Transportation System in DUI Detection and Standardization Field Sobriety Testing Programs, Advance   Roadside Driving Enforcement Program and Drug Recognition Program. He was a highly sought after   and valued expert witness for DUI defense attorneys across   Washington State.
 
  Missel served on the Roslyn City Council and was a member of the Kittitas County Council of Governments and County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee during his
  tenure. Most recently he was assisting the Upper   Kittitas County Recreation Center Advisory Committee. He was a past trustee and active member of the Roslyn Eagles, FOE 696.

Missel was preceded in death by his parents John and Rainey Missel. He is survived by his wife Rhonda Holden; son Dane Missel (with former wife Julie Schmieder); daughter-in-law Tosha Missel; grandsons Jake and Nate Missel, all of North Bend; Rhonda's children Ben and Lindsey Flowers and Hannah Holden; Rhonda's grandchildren Paisley, Scout and Ford Flowers of Roslyn; sister Kathy Missel of West Richland; brother Jim Missel of Oregon; niece Sammy Jo Missel Griggs; and nephew Jimmy Missel.

Thomas Charles Missel was born on Dec. 12, 1960, in Aberdeen, Wash.

Missel had a passion for Hospice as his mother Rainey was lovingly cared for by Hospice prior to her passing. Memorial contributions in his honor are suggested to Kittitas Valley Healthcare Hospice, Hearts and Hands of Kittitas County or the Roslyn Eagles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com.