Carl "Duke" Dewey Lopeman, known to most as "Papa Duke," passed away while on a scenic drive with his wife on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

He was born on February 7, 1933 at the family home in Thayer, KS. He moved with his family, at the age of 2, to Chimacum, WA.

Carl served in the US Navy from 1950-1952, serving in the Korean War. He married and had four children with Beverly Secord, but their relationship later ended in divorce.

On November 5, 1971 Carl married the love of his life, Carolyn Woodward, happily and willfully taking on the role as a father to her three children.

Aside from working on Indian Island and at Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill, he owned and operated the Beaver Valley Store while he also ran heavy equipment and logged. In 1975, when family life grew increasingly busy, he sold the store but continued with the heavy equipment and logging. Later he ran equipment for Shold Excavating before retiring.

Family and travel were Carl's priorities and passions. Aside from his seven children whom he loved deeply, he became "Papa Duke" to an entire community of children. For 17 years he devoted time and love to the children of "Grandma Carolyn's" daycare. He spent countless hours rocking and singing to the children or toting them around the property in the bed of his little Chevy Luv truck to pick up limbs that fell from the trees. The daycare closed its doors in 2000, but their home began filling with grandchildren and great-grandchildren so the rocking chair continued to faithfully rock.

He and Carolyn spent many hours, days, and miles traveling across country with their 5th wheel, sightseeing and visiting family and friends anywhere from here in Washington, north to Alaska, and as far away as Maine. When they weren't taking in the 50 states, you could find them camping down at Oak Bay Park with grandchildren running about and local friends stopping by for a cup of coffee and a story.

Duke will be remembered as a lovingly devoted husband and father. His support and involvement in the lives of his grandchildren and great grandchildren will be sorely missed but forever appreciated. He was also known as a kind, witty, hardworking, big-hearted man who loved spending time around the kitchen table sharing fascinating stories of life and history in our small town with all those who came to visit. He has not only left behind sweet childhood memories embedded in the hearts of all those who are now young adults, he also undoubtedly played a role in influencing others on what it meant to be a true family man. He believed that family was not only those born to you; it is made up of all those who fill your home, at any point in time, with joy and laughter. He loved all those around him unconditionally and embraced life, family, friends and a good, solid hard day's work wholeheartedly. His quick-witted humor, silly comments, twinkly eyes and sweet genuine smile will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Lopeman; daughters Shelley (Steve) Larsen, Tammy (Mike) LaPlant, Brenda (Bruce) Huntingford, Catherine (Rich) Bratlee; Son Frank (Jami) Trafton, 11 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren and many, many more children he considered his grandchildren who will always remember him as "Papa Duke".

He is preceded in death by his daughter Carla Perez and son Robert Lopeman.

A family service will be held at a later date.

As Papa Duke would say, with a wave of his hand, "See Ya!"