Kenneth Chappius

Obituary of Kenneth Lee Chappius

Ken, age 77, of Lacey, Washington, passed away unexpectedly from congestive heart failure. Ken went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Ken was born March 3, 1936 in Bridgeton, New Jersey to Paul and Ella Mae (Newmaster) Chappius. He moved to Salem, New Jersey in 1946, and graduated from Salem High School in 1954. During his high school years, Ken was a valued member of the basketball and baseball teams. After high school, Ken enlisted, and spent three years in the U.S. Army; stationed in Germany, he was attached to a combat engineer unit. After the Army, Ken settled in Tacoma, Washington, moving to Lacey in 1976. Ken worked for and retired from The Tacoma News Tribune after 29 years. Ken spent 15 years in the Accounting Department, and 14 years as a Circulation District Manager. Retirement wasn’t on Ken’s menu. He spent four years working for Coumbs RV in Olympia, and then 10 years doing advertising and artwork for the Lacey Fred Meyer store. Ken always enjoyed using his artistic talent drawing signs and banners, both commercially and for friends. When retirement finally became a reality, Ken was never happier than when he had a major project going on around their home. He was a handyman extraordinaire—building decks, porches, garages, and fences, as well as regularly updating the interior of the home he shared with his wife, Sharon, and their numerous little doggies over their years in Lacey. He was a classic car enthusiast, and loved his Cadillacs! Ken and Sharon spent many years enjoying their vacation trailer, camping with special friends, kite flying at the ocean, taking trips from Canada to California. They had recently purchased a 29-foot motor home and were planning a cross-country trip to New Jersey in the spring. Ken was an avid sports fan—Sonics, Mariners and Seahawks. A true fan, whether winning or losing! Recently, Ken was cheering on the Hawks, KNOWING this is the season they will go all the way! You can bet he’ll be watching the Super Bowl from a first class seat in Heaven! Feel free to wear your Seahawk garb to our celebration of Ken’s life!! Ken and special buddy Roger Haugen are together again, and spring will find them rooting for the Ms! Ken was predeceased by his parents; sister, Betty Lou; brothers, Paul A. and wife Kathleen, Robert N. and wife Bertie; and grandson Matthew Blackledge. Ken is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sharon (Demick-Warr) Chappius of the home; brother, Donald H. Chappius (Doris) of Salem, Ney Jersey; sister, Beverly Smith (Vince) of Millville, New Jersey; Darla M. Schwarz, Tacoma, mother of Ken’s three children; children, Cheryl L. Crabtree (Charles) of Hudson, Florida, Kevin L. Chappius of Tacoma, and Cindy K. VanWinkle (Keith) of Gig Harbor; five grandchildren; and one great grandson. Ken will also be missed by his three little fur babies, Sonny, Buddy and Topper, along with many very special friends, including Carol and Loren Schmidt, Pete Murphy and Warren (Renny) Spence, as well as all of Ken’s “Forever Family.” Ken was a member of the Church of Living Water, First Foursquare Church of Olympia. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Living Water, Boulevard Campus, 1615 Chambers St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501 (www.livingwater.com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Ken, to Church of Living Water Upward Basketball & Cheerleading program or the Thurston County Animal Shelter, Animal Services, Olympia, WA. Please leave memories of Ken or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.
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