Thomas Kaulukukui's 103-yard kickoff return against UCLA in 1935 is still a UH school record. Honolulu Advertiser photo library

He turned 94 in January.

"He passed peacefuly, surrounded by the love of his family," said his son, Thomas Kaulukukui Jr. "You could not ask for anything more."

Kaulukukui was selected to the All-American Board of Football team in 1935.

His 103-yard kickoff return against UCLA in 1935 is still a school record.

But he was more than a football player, earning 17 letters in five sports.

"He was a physically gifted athlete," Thomas Jr. said.

He also served as a coach and athletic director at UH, coached at Iolani, was a founder of Pop Warner football in Hawai'i, and served on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

"He was a devoted family man," Thomas Jr. said. "His life was committed to teaching and the service to others."

Kaulukukui was born in Kalihi and raised in Hilo. He graduated from Hilo in 1932.

He then made his mark as a player at UH and was dubbed "Grass Shack" by the great sportswriter Grantland Rice.

He played for and coached under as an assistant to Otto "Proc" Klum, considered the "Father of UH football."

In six seasons as head coach, Kaulukukui amassed a 34-18-3 record.

He was selected as a charter member of the National Football Hall of Fame Association and named to the UH Circle of Honor in 1982.

Kaulukukui is survived by Felice, his wife of 67 years, and three children — Thomas Jr., Carol and Donald — four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.