Obituary of Erik William Royal

Erik William Royal, 62, passed away on July 11, 2023, at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington, with his family of nurses and loving wife by his side. He was born September 24, 1960, to Dr. William and Goldie Royal.

 

Erik lived his rambunctious young life in the Carlyon area of Olympia and spent summers on Long Lake with his friends and family, fishing, swimming, and exploring in his wooden rowboat with a loud Clinton J motor. He rode horses in 4H with his sister, Lorri; water skied and created pottery with his brothers, Denny and Rich; ran around with his Boston Terrier, Snooky; and was tied to the hip with his best neighbor friend, Sonia.

 

Erik was a graduate of Timberline High School Class of 1978 and attended community college. He was a superior craftsman and owner of the finish carpentry company, Royal Interiors Inc. Many of Erik’s employees became his close friends and he considered them family. Erik was more than detail oriented. He was a perfectionist when it came to his craft. His tile, floor coverings, and woodwork can be seen at many of the residential and commercial buildings around Olympia and Lacey.

 

Erik was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences: contractor, mechanic, electrician, plumber, fisherman, hunter/gatherer, Mr. Fix Anything. If Erik didn’t know how to do something, he always came to a beautiful creative solution.

 

Erik met his wife Rennea in 2000 and they married on November 11, 2011. He quickly embraced the title of “family man” and stole hearts from the beginning with his silly jokes, eclectic gifts, and spending quality time with the family on their farm in the South Bay area. Time was spent tending to animals, gardening, playing card games, camping, hunting, fishing, clam digging, berry/mushroom picking, and teaching the kids how to have fun! He and the family took numerous camping trips all over Washington. Some of the best meals spent together were around a campfire.

 

Erik loved driving and never turned down a car ride. He, Rennea, and Baxter would jump in the car to “go for a ride” to find a good garage sale or new places to explore. He loved adventure; travels included fishing in Sekiu, snorkeling and scuba diving in Hawaii, and numerous trips to different parts of Mexico. He collected a T-shirt as a memento for all the places he had been.

 

Erik often spent his spare time tinkering in the shop, smoking meats, tying fishing lures, and creating fun art pieces. He enjoyed doing puzzles, reading books, baking a mean sourdough loaf, and watching Breaking Bad and Yellowstone curled up with Baxter. Whenever surrounded by company, he would seize the opportunity to pull out his guitar. You better believe he is playing guitar in heaven with his loved ones and favorite artists. Erik had an enormous heart, wonderful sense of humor and infectious smile. He was strong willed, generous, loyal, and brave.

 

In 2012, Erik was diagnosed with Leukemia. He fought hard as his disease progressed over the following 11 years. When his time came, he carried himself with love, dignity, and strength. He will be remembered for all the love and laughs he shared with his friends, family, doctors, and nurses.

 

Erik is survived by his wife, Rennea (Bamer) Royal; children, Shalea Palm (Alexa Costa) and Cody Palm (Breeann); pup, Baxter; grandchildren, Louis Erik Palm and Avamae Eliana Palm; siblings, Dr. Dennis Royal (Patty), Richard Royal (Jana), and Lorri Swartling (Rus); as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

 

Please check back for memorial service information.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Erik William Royal to Providence St. Peter Oncology or Bloodworks Northwest.

 

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