Harold Dean “Coach” Canter, 93, passed away peacefully and with grace on Mardi Gras, February 17, 2026, in Newman, California.
He was born January 6, 1933, in Texas to Jimmie Lou and Horace Canter, and reared in Louisiana by his beloved grandmother Ida Canter. After graduating from Vinton High School in 1951, he served in the Navy and the Korean War on the USS Bremerton. Following his wartime service, Harold Dean earned his bachelor’s degree from Chico State University, where he also boxed on the university team. Later he pursued graduate work towards a Master’s degree.
Harold started his more than forty-year career in education as a teacher and coach in Alturas, California. Harold and his family moved to Newman in 1963 where he taught, coached, and mentored at Orestimba High School. He also taught at Yolo Junior High and served on the School Attendance Review Board before his retirement as principal at Westside Valley High School. Post retirement Coach enjoyed officiating and traveling. Newman remained his home and cherished community for the past 63 years where he was a member of Newman’s Lion’s Club, Moose Lodge, VFW, the First Baptist Church, and the Northern California’s Officiating Association.
Coach Canter constantly made friends with strangers wherever he went. In addition to traveling, he deeply loved his family, neighbors, friends, fishing, hunting, diving for abalone, sports, volunteering, festas, drinking a hot cup of coffee all year long, and his beloved Raiders. As a season ticket holder in Oakland, he loved a good Raiders’ tailgate before the game. He was known for always helping others while expecting nothing in return. He had a full and incredible life.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years Jeannie Webber Canter, mother Jimmie Lou Davis, father Horace Beans Canter, grandmother Ida Canter, brother Sonny Canter, and sister Avis Newton.
Harold is survived by his 3 daughters from his first marriage to Carol Canter Moore: Carri Shannon (Don) of Anchorage, AK; Trina Canter Beauchamp (Marc) of Fairbanks, AK; and Kathleen Collums (Lanny) of Eagle River, AK; 7 grandchildren: Dustin Shannon (Ashley), Dean Shannon (Heather) and Drew Shannon (Annie) of Anchorage, AK; Cody Beauchamp (Erin) and Josee Beauchamp of Fairbanks, AK; Kaitlyn Wolfe (Tyler) of Anchorage, AK; Cameron Collums (Angie) of Golden, CO; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff of Mother’s House Westside for their dedicated and loving care of Harold Dean, as well as his many friends who would visit and take him on excursions.
A private burial with military honors will take place at San Joaquin National Cemetery. Please contact a family member for celebration of life date and details.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harold Dean Canter’s name to The Orestimba Scholarship Community Association (TOSCA) - P.O. Box 18, Newman, CA 95360 or to the VFW Post 7635 - 145 5th Street, Gustine, CA 95322.
