Morris Krepky's Obituary
"May the soul of our dear departed one be bound in the bond of life."After 87 adventurous years of accomplishments and countless contributions to family, friends and communities, his gregarious presence is already vastly missed. Born the youngest and last remaining of six children to Rachel and Davis Krepky, Russian-Polish immigrants welcomed through Ellis Island, he was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household in New York City. As a teenager, before he left New York he belonged to a large dance club and listened to the likes of Louis Armstrong in person and even danced with Ella Fitzgerald. In 1940 he married Ruth Marion Slater in Tacoma when he was stationed at Ft. Lewis. They met dancing to big band music. They loved to jitter-bug and "cut a rug together."He joined the New York Army National Guard in 1933 by lying about his age during the Great Depression, his main motivation being three meals a day. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army Third Infantry Division and was awarded the Purple Heart during combat in the European Theater of World War II. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to make his home in the Tacoma area. Morris continued a long association with his cherished Third Division buddies serving as secretary of Outpost 63 for many years.Morris retired as Fire Chief of Ft. Lewis and Command Sergeant Major of the Washington State National Guard, the Adjutant GeneralÂ's chief advisor on enlisted menÂ's affairs. Ruth and Morris made their retirement move from the village of DuPont, Washington to Anderson Island, Washington in 1977 to property bought in 1966. Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Morris began almost immediately the challenging project of establishing a Fire Station on the island completed in 1978. Years later the island residents honored him in June of 2000 with the naming dedication of the Morris Krepky Fire Station.Devoted to his beloved "Island in the Sound" for almost forty years, MorrisÂ's involvement in island activities was limitless. The small waterfront house he and Ruth built gave them many magical moments viewing the wonders of the Olympics, Eagle Island, sunsets, marine life and water craft.Morris is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth who resides in an Adult Family Home in Lacey, Washington due to advanced Dementia; daughter Virginia Frost (John OÂ'Hern) of Olympia, Washington; son David (Cindy) of Carnation, Washington; four grandchildren, Ken of Everett, Washington, David (Laurel) of Tempe, Arizona, Morgan and Matthew of Carnation, Washington; three great- grandchildren, Joseph, Destiny and Leo; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; also his loving companion, Jean Welch of Graham who tended faithfully to his care in his final years. The family expresses their appreciation to Franciscan Hospice of Tacoma and the innumerable kind people who assisted Morris in his last years. His ashes will be placed in the Anderson Island Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2PM on Sunday, June 5 at the Anderson Island Fire Station. Donations in Morris KrepkyÂ's memory may be made to the Anderson Island FirefighterÂ's Association.
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