GEORGE EDWARD KONOPIK III

George Edward Konopik III, age 83, longtime Whidbey Island resident, passed away at his home on Thursday, June 9th, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Konopik was born August 26, 1932, in Buhl, Idaho, to George Edward Konopik II and Willa Ruth (Weaver) Konopik. His family moved when George and his brother, James, were young to the farming communities between Wisner and Beemer, Nebraska.

George graduated from Wisner High School in 1950, attended and graduated from Nebraska State Teachers College in Wayne, Nebraska in 1953. From there, he went to the State University of Iowa in 1960 an onto the University of Washington in 1966. He moved his family to Whidbey Island and began his nearly 20-year career in the Oak Harbor School District. He also taught in Nebraska, Iowa, Alaska, Ecuador and Pakistan.

He married Faye Jean Vahlkamp on May 15th, 1953 and had three children: George IV (Lukkana) of Bangkok, Thailand, Mark (Esterlita) of Camodes Island, Philippines, and Susan/Sooz (Terry) of Oak Harbor. He divorced and later married Margaret (Peggie) Shoup and had two step-daughters: Kim Bauer (Pete) of Moorehead, North Dakota and Margaret Elizabeth (Beth) Shoup of Hatyai, Thailand.

George’s curiosity and love of different cultures, history and the arts inspired him to explore distant lands with family members in tow, and later alone. His love of the outdoors led him on several expeditions, oftentimes, lucky to return, but always with a tale to tell.

He was a hard-working musician who never turned down an invitation to perform at local events and festivals, community musicals, at museums or just wandering the streets with his band of friends. George helped to bring music from all over the world to Oak Harbor, taught thousands of students and was an active and dedicated Freemason most of his life.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Peggie, and his younger brothers, John and James. He is survived by his children, named above, his grandchildren, Geoffrey Howard, Anthony, Andrew and Joshua Jangi Khan-Konopik, Dirk, Ian and Nicholas Konopik, Hannah Bauer and his great-granddaughter, Remington Konopik; also, by his friend, “his diamond,” Phyllis Wever.

Please join us at a ceremony and celebration of George’s life, to be held on June 20th, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Elk’s Lodge in Oak Harbor, WA. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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