A5
THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, July 1, 2021
OBITUARIES
Lee Hughes
Phillip Robert Ropkins
Astoria
Dec. 8, 1937 — June 10, 2021
Salem
Feb. 1, 1931 — June 21, 2021
Master Chief Petty Officer Lee Hughes,
“Popeye,” a yellow-naped Amazon
83, passed away, with a family member talking parrot, became one of Lee’s favor-
and a friend by his side, on June 10, 2021, ite friends. Lee brought him home from the
pet store when no one else wanted
in the middle of the night, after
him. Popeye liked Lee alone. He
battling advanced stage colon
was a one-man pet, with no love
cancer.
Lee Hughes was born in Dal-
for Tomiko. Lee had Popeye for
las, the son of Leroy and Verda
25 years.
Hughes. He attended his first
Lee finally retired, and he
years of school in Falls City,
and Tomiko hit the road, travel-
ing by RV for a year in a 40-foot
before his family moved to the
motor home with two dogs and
logging town of Valsetz.
Lee attended school in Valsetz
Lee’s parrot, before settling in
until his freshman year in high
Reedsport in September 1994.
Lee Hughes
school. That year, his father sent
Lee missed hunting and fishing
him to Dallas, where he stayed
and Tomiko was ready for a per-
with his Uncle Walter and Aunt Dolly, so manent home. They purchased a home at
he could play football. While attending River Bend Mobile Park Resort.
Lee kept busy fishing, hunting and vol-
Dallas High School, Lee played basket-
ball, baseball and football. Football was unteering in the Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife’s Salmon Trout Enhancement
his favorite.
Lee left high school to enlist in the U.S. Program, and occasionally visited the local
Navy in 1954, attending boot camp in San casino to test his luck. Watching sports on
Diego, California. His advanced training TV was an important part of his day, with
took place in Norfolk, Virginia. He also football being his favorite.
attended schools for aviation, gas han-
On Dec. 7, 2015, Tomiko passed away,
dling, career counseling, military leader- after a battle with cancer.
ship, trade school and many others.
Lee’s nephew, James, would always
Lee served his country in the Navy for stop and visit Lee on his work travels in the
30 years as a machinist. During this time, Reedsport area, sometimes staying over-
he completed his high school degree, and night before traveling home to Astoria. Lee
married Tomiko Gohara on June, 26, 1959. moved to Astoria in 2018 to live closer to
Lee earned the rank of E-9 (master chief his nephew, James, and lived there until his
petty officer). During his time of service, passing on June 10, 2021.
Lee was preceded in death by his broth-
Lee and Tomiko lived in San Diego, Seat-
ers, Bob and Lanny, and his sister, Judy. He
tle, Virginia, Guam, Japan and Hawaii.
After retiring from the military, Lee is survived by his sisters, Janet, Linda and
and Tomiko moved to Portland, where Lee Laveta, along with his nieces and nephews.
worked for General Electric Co. for a short
Lee always had a great sense of humor,
time. Their next move was to San Diego, joking with doctors, medics and nurses,
where Lee worked at Scripps Hospital for even when he was very ill. He was a very
21 years in the maintenance department. kind man and always a great listener. We
He also owned and operated a pet store for treasure our memories of good times with
several years during this time in San Diego. Lee and the positive impact on our lives.
Phillip Robert Ropkins was born Feb. 1, ball, just to be watching sports.
Growing up at the track instilled a life-
1931, in Seattle, to George and Doris (Gra-
ham) Ropkins.
long love of all kinds of car racing, and he
He spent his early years
enjoyed watching any of the races.
Phillip also had a passion for mil-
in the Seattle area before his
itary history and books and never
family relocated to Milwaukie
stopped learning. He was also a
when he was in grade school.
master of puns and word play, and
Phillip’s two siblings were
would keep his family smiling,
much older than he, so for
always.
much of his childhood it was as
Most recently Phillip was liv-
if he were an only child.
ing in Warrenton. He always took
Growing up, Phillip’s dad
good care of himself and was
worked as pit boss at the Port-
land International Raceway and
active and independent. Even at
Phillip Ropkins
often took Phillip to the track.
the age of 90, he had just renewed
This ignited a love of racing in
his driver’s license, and was doing
Phillip, and he made many great memories his own grocery shopping and living
independently.
hanging out at the track helping his dad.
When his health declined, his daughter
After graduating from Milwaukie High
School in 1949, Phillip enlisted in the U.S. moved him to Salem, so she could care for
Air Force, where he worked in supply at him. It was a great mercy that he did not
Larson Air Force Base in Washington state. suffer long, and passed away peacefully on
Phillip married Francine Majhor in June 21, 2021, at his daughter’s home in
1952, and the couple had three children Salem.
He will be laid to rest at Willamette
together. After serving for six years in the
Air Force, Phillip enlisted in the Oregon National Cemetery next to his beloved
Army National Guard. He and Francine wife, Lois, who passed away in 2006.
Phillip was preceded in death by his
parted ways in 1959.
After his marriage ended, Phillip recon- wife, Lois; his parents, George and Doris
nected with a high school classmate, and Ropkins; and his sons, Gilbert Ropkins and
the two fell in love. On July 18, 1962, Phil- Steven “Mitch” Ropkins.
lip married Lois DuBruille, and they had a
He is survived by his daughter, Chris-
tie J. Bravo; son, Jay Ropkins; grandchil-
son together.
Phillip retired from military service on dren, Nathan R. Ropkins, Valdez G. Bravo,
Timmothy J. Ropkins, Trisha A. Ropkins,
Feb. 1, 1986.
Phillip was passionate about all sports Nicholas Ropkins, Tyler Ropkins and
of all kinds, especially baseball, and his Shelby Ropkins; great-grandchildren, Eric
beloved Seattle Mariners. He would watch Ropkins and Aloni Lo Bravo; and great-
any sport on TV, even high school base- great-grandson, Samuel Ropkins.
Judith Paulsen Clark
Eugene William (Gene) Freese passed
Gene was an avid deer and elk hunter
away peacefully on June 15, 2021, at the and an Oregon Hunters Association edu-
Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Cen- cation instructor. He enjoyed sport fishing
ter after a six-year battle with
and was an expert wood craftsman.
acute chronic respiratory fail-
Gene was a member of the
Elks Lodge, North American Fish-
ure. His wife, Evelyn, and son,
ing Club, Jaycees, Cottage Grove
Michael, were present.
Prospectors and Gold Diggers,
Gene was born on Feb. 26,
National Rifle Association, Veter-
1935, in Santa Rosa, Califor-
ans of Foreign Wars and Bethany
nia, to Martha Caroline (Hoff-
man) and William Freese.
Free Lutheran Church in Astoria.
Gene was loved by his family
Gene served as a machin-
and friends, and he will be remem-
ist mate E-5 in the U.S. Navy
bered, and greatly missed, for
during the Korean War from
Eugene Freese
his ingenuity and skill at solving
1952 to 1956, and was awarded
many problems, whether mechan-
the National Defense Service
ical or structural.
Medal, Korean Service Medal,
Gene is survived by his wife,
United Nations Medal and the
Evelyn Freese, of Astoria; daugh-
China Service Medal.
ter, Debra Tertrou, of Sweet Home;
After Gene’s honorable dis-
charge, he met Margaret Eve-
son, Michael, and his wife, Cheryl
Freese, of Kenya; daughter, Bar-
lyn Dyer (Evelyn), of Myrtle
bara Turns, of Spokane, Wash-
Creek, and they were married
ington; sister, Roberta (Freese) Novak, of
in 1956.
Gene received a degree in mortuary sci- Apollo Beach, Florida; brother, Robert Fre-
ence in San Francisco in 1958, and worked ese, of Medford; five grandchildren; seven
as a mortician and funeral director in Hills- great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews;
boro, and then Cottage Grove, before mov- and many friends.
ing to Astoria in 1978 to begin a new career
A memorial service will be held on July
in commercial fishing.
17 at 11 a.m. at Bethany Free Lutheran
Then, in 1984, he opened Gene’s Home Church, 451 34th St. in Astoria. For
Repair to serve the residents of Clatsop questions, call or text 541-213-7763 or
949-462-4396.
County.
Grapeview, Washington
June 21, 1949 — June 22, 2021
It was June 21, 1949, the first day of sum-
Judy retired at age 62, but kept busy
mer in Astoria, that a beautiful baby girl was maintaining the house and gardens, travel-
gifted by God to Mr. Richard C. Paulsen and ing every other week to Astoria to assist her
mother and father until their pass-
his wife, Mrs. Myrtle L. Paulsen.
ing, babysitting grandchildren,
They would name their fair-haired
crocheting, sewing, card-making
brown-eyed new love Judith Caro-
lyn Paulsen.
and scrapbooking.
Judy, as she liked to be called,
Another major hobby Judy had
would grow up steeped in the
was cooking. She had married a
rich traditions of her Norwe-
skinny man, but he didn’t stay that
gian and Swedish heritages. Judy
way.
would graduate from Astoria High
Besides her husband, Nor-
man, Judy is survived by: her sis-
School in 1967, and serve as an
ter, Diane Baxter, of Belfair; her
Astoria Regatta princess that year.
Judy attended Clatsop Commu-
Judith Clark
brother, Richard (Ric) Paulsen,
nity College, Portland College of
and his wife, Judy, of Warrenton;
Business and earned a bachelor’s degree at daughter, Brienne Eubanks (Andrew); son,
Oregon State University in 1975.
Taylor Koller (Autumn); two granddaugh-
Judy married Willard (Bill) Koller in ters, Tatumn and Riley Koller; three step-
1976. They had a daughter, Brienne, prior to children, Jennifer Burton (George Sr.) and
moving to the town of Belfair, Washington, Sam and Travis Clark (Indra); and three
in 1983. Taylor, the son of Judy and Bill, was step-grandchildren, George Jr. and Jack Bur-
ton and Jace Clark.
born after their arrival in Belfair.
Judy was a member of the Clatsop
Judy has always had an unshakable
County Historical Society, and would travel faith in God and Our Lord Jesus Christ.
back to Astoria to help each year at the Asto- Her church homes include First Lutheran
ria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival sell- in Astoria, Christ Lutheran in Belfair and
ing buttons and wrist bands.
North Bay Lutheran Community Church in
Judy worked for her father in the Owl Allyn, Washington.
Drug Store while in high school and col-
Her serving the Lord included being on
lege. She later worked in Belfair as a librar- the church council, singing in, and some-
ian aide, volunteered at local schools, was a times directing, the choir and serving during
receptionist and an assistant to six agents in communion.
the Reid Real Estate office.
Arrangements are being made for her
Judy’s marriage with Bill didn’t work burial in Warrenton at Ocean View Ceme-
out, and they later divorced. In 1998, Judy tery near her parents with her husband to be
married Norman Clark.
beside her when God calls him home.
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SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Eugene William Freese
Astoria
Feb. 26, 1935 — June 15, 2021
OBITUARY POLICY
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For more information, call 503-325-3211, ext. 257.
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
69 57
71 57
70 57
69 57
68 56
Clouds yielding
Partly sunny Clouds and sun Mostly cloudy
Partly sunny
to sun
68 57
68 56
Partly sunny
Areas of low
clouds
Aberdeen
Olympia
71/58
80/61
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
80/57
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Tuesday
Tonight’s Sky: Leo the Lion will
be disappearing into the western
horizon.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 68/60
Normal high/low .................. 66/52
Record high .................. 93 in 1908
Record low .................... 42 in 1966
Precipitation
Tuesday ................................... Trace
Month to date ........................ 1.91”
Normal month to date ......... 2.49”
Year to date .......................... 37.27”
Normal year to date ........... 35.85”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021
Time
6:55 a.m.
7:59 p.m.
6.1 1:19 a.m.
7.2 1:23 p.m.
2.3
0.8
Cape Disappointment
6:27 a.m.
7:41 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 5:28 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 9:11 p.m.
Moonrise today .............. 1:11 a.m.
Moonset today .............. 1:17 p.m.
Last
New
First
Full
6:39 a.m.
7:46 p.m.
Warrenton
6:50 a.m.
7:54 p.m.
Knappa
7:32 a.m.
8:36 p.m.
Depoe Bay
July 1
July 9 July 17 July 23
5:43 a.m.
6:58 p.m.
6.0 12:42 a.m. 2.6
7.0 12:43 p.m. 0.9
6.4 12:56 a.m. 2.5
7.4 12:56 p.m. 0.9
6.5 1:03 a.m.
7.6 1:07 p.m.
2.4
0.9
6.4 2:20 a.m.
7.4 2:24 p.m.
2.0
0.7
6.0 12:12 a.m. 2.6
7.2 12:08 p.m. 0.7
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
86/72/pc
81/65/t
75/58/pc
93/76/t
81/60/t
88/75/pc
92/76/t
83/66/pc
87/77/sh
84/69/t
104/87/pc
72/61/pc
87/71/t
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
77/65/t
68/60/t
73/59/pc
86/74/t
84/61/t
87/75/pc
92/77/pc
84/66/pc
88/78/t
75/65/t
104/88/pc
73/60/pc
79/66/t
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
103/74
Hermiston
The Dalles 102/69
Enterprise
Pendleton 95/65
99/68
92/66
La Grande
98/66
85/60
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
93/64
Kennewick Walla Walla
100/72 Lewiston
104/68
77/57
Salem
Pullman
103/65
Longview
69/57 Portland
84/61
96/68
Yakima 103/68
79/55
Astoria
Spokane
102/68
Corvallis
84/57
Albany
86/57
John Day
Eugene
Bend
88/57
98/62
97/62
Ontario
104/68
Caldwell
Burns
96/57
102/68
Medford
98/66
Klamath Falls
95/56
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
94/56/pc
67/55/s
68/57/c
85/58/s
64/54/pc
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
97/56/s
66/56/c
69/58/pc
93/59/s
64/55/pc
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
67/57/pc
88/62/s
69/56/c
89/57/s
83/59/s
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
67/56/s
95/62/s
72/54/pc
97/58/s
92/58/s