Dr. Marion O.'s Obituary
Dr. Marion O. Oppelt, Ed.D.September 17, 1913Â-January 3, 2003Dr. Marion Oppelt died Friday, January 3rd at his home in Lakewood, with his wife, Lynn and nurse, Marianne, at his side.Marion was born in Centralia, WA to Orville and Mima Oppelt. He grew up in Centralia and graduated from Centralia High School in 1930. He spent three years of postgraduate work, taking everything the high school offered until he could afford to continue his education. He then went to Centralia Junior College, where he was an all-conference baseball player, and graduated in 1935. He married Mary Meloy McCutcheon in September 1935. From 1936 to 1941, he continued his education at Western Washington College (Bellingham Normal), and the University of Washington to pursue a degree in teaching. He taught Music, English, and coached baseball in Shelton for 2 years. Dr. Oppelt served with the Red Cross during WWII, stationed at a Navy base in Adak, Alaska from Nov. 1942-Jan. 1946. His duties included teaching various branches of music, aiding with emergency communications, and distributing books and magazines. He also had an extensive phonograph collection to provide musical entertainment to the servicemen.He began with the Clover Park School District in 1940 and was with the district until 1967. (with the exception of the Adak years) During that time he taught Music, English and coached baseball. He also acted as a guidance counselor, director of music education and band and orchestra director. He served as an administrative assistant to the superintendent and went on to become assistant superintendent, then deputy superintendent. While at Clover Park, he continued his education and received his masterÂ's degree in 1951, and then his doctorate in higher education administration in 1969 at the University of Washington.Marion played baseball for several years for different leagues. He was a pitcher, with his best pitch a fast breaking curve. He was given the nickname Â"OppieÂ" by his baseball teammates because they just didnÂ't feel right hollering Â"Go, Marion!Â" He played from 936-1950 for the following teams. 1936 Â- Shelton Loggers Â- Timber League1937 Â- Renton Miners Â- Northwest League1937 Â- Johnson Paint Â- Tacoma City League1937 Â- Seattle Indians Â- Pacific Coast League1938 Â- Seattle Rainiers Â- Pacific Coast League1938 - Vancouver Mapleleafs Â- Western International League1938 - Shelton Loggers Â- Nowthwest League1939 Â- Twin Falls Â- Pioneer League1939, 1940 & 1946 Â- Tacoma Tigers Â- Western Intl. League1949-1950 Â- 38th Street Â- Tacoma City LeagueHe played in Oldtimers games through 1961 and is a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball OldtimersÂ' Hall of Fame.In 1966 he became the president-elect of Fort Steilacoom Community College, and was its founding President in 1967 and remained President until June of 1977. Although the college began in a food store, Dr. Oppelt had a vision of what the college would become and worked together with others to make it happen. The school was open for enrollment on campus September 23rd 1968. In September 1976, a new student center was completed. In November of that year, the board of trustees recognized his years of work, planning and development of educational programs, by naming the student center after Dr. Oppelt. A dedication ceremony was held November 14th where a life-sized bust of Dr. Oppelt was unveiled. When he announced his retirement he was described as a Â"hard guy to replaceÂ". At the time of his retirement, he was also President of the Association of Community Colleges. In 1994 he was selected as Centralia CollegeÂ's distinguished alumnus of the year.In the years following his retirement, Dr. Oppelt was Chapter Chairman of the Tacoma Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross (1981-1983). He then went on to become Chairman of the Board at Lakewood General Hospital from 1984-1987.For relaxation, Dr. Oppelt enjoyed boating, fishing, traveling, golf and working in his yard, which had a beautiful variety of flowering plants. He also played in the Tacoma Symphony for 25 years.Oppie will be remembered for his kindness, his gentle spirit, his wisdom, sense of humor and quick wit, which he never lost. He was always a gentleman, a true gentleman, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his son Patrick Marion Oppelt and his first wife, Mary McCutcheon Oppelt. Survivors include: wife: Lynn; daughter: Tina Oppelt Geyer (Virgil); sisters: Nita Nelson and Nedra Inslee; grandsons: David, James, Peter and Jonathan Geyer; step-grandsons: Mark and Gregory Geyer and a step great-grandson Ian Geyer. He is also survived by three stepchildren: Darren Anderson (Jamie), Betsy and Sarah Anderson and granddaughter Destiny Anderson. Donations may be made to Franciscan Hospice, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center or a charity of choice. A very special thank you to the staff at Franciscan Hospice for all of your support, care and concern for my husband and myself during this time. I will never forget your kindness.Sweetie, Thank you for waiting for me, as you once said Â"youÂ're the reason IÂ'm still here.Â" I thank God for bringing us together. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, and so completely, and for allowing me to do the same for you. I will miss your smile, your touch, everything about you. I am so glad you had roses and loved chocolate ice cream as much as I do. We knew we loved each other from the beginning, we treasured each day as a gift and I cherished the time we had together. You are my soulmate. You are forever in my Heart. I love you.Lynn (Mrs. Hyphenated)Memorial Services will be held 10:00am Saturday January 11, 2003 in the Mountain View Celebration of Life Center Â- Aspen Chapel.
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