Charlie Wedemeyer, a legendary athlete from Hawaii and inspirational figure to millions for his long battle against ALS, or “;Lou Gehrig's disease,”; died early this morning, according to an e-mail from a family member.

Wedemeyer was a football coach in Los Gatos, Calif., more than 30 years ago when he was diagnosed with ALS and given a year to live. Not only did he defy medical convention by surviving, he continued to coach after losing his voice and ability to walk by relaying signals through is wife, Lucy, and using a golf cart to get around.

His story was told in a made-for-TV movie, and he became an inspirational speaker, again with Lucy doing the actual talking.

The 1964 graduate of Punahou School was 64 when he died today. He had undergone recent surgeries and suffered from infections. He was heavily sedated at the time of death, according to the e-mail.

He is widely considered one of the finest all-around Hawaii high school athletes. Wedemeyer starred in football, basketball and baseball at Punahou and went on to play football at Michigan State.

“;He's shown tremendous strength over the years,”; said Ralph Martinson, his Punahou football coach, in a 2005 Star-Bulletin article. “;He's a tremendous example of what faith can do for a person.”;

Wedemeyer, speaking through Lucy, was quoted in the same article:

“;Pain and suffering is inevitable. However, misery is optional and we get to make that choice.”;

Services are tentatively scheduled for June 19, in Los Gatos, Calif.