Remembering David Crimmins and other Wolf Nation members who passed in 2023.
Each life added something unique to Coupeville.
As you look back at those who passed away in 2023, there are men and women whose impact was felt in both large and small ways.
Some were involved in Cow Town athletics, while others were people I met back in my days behind the counter at Videoville.
This is certainly not a complete list, but hopefully it celebrates the accomplishments of some who were known and loved by folks here in Coupeville.
Janet Copley
Janet Copley:
Mother to Booster Club bigwig Jess Lucero, mother-in-law to softball guru Aaron Lucero, grandma to Wolf stars Dane, Ally, Maya, Peyton, and Ava.
“A curious and adventurous young child who loved to romp through the neighborhood and sometimes bring home stray animals who tugged at her heartstrings.”
A beloved children’s music teacher who sang with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, while also finding time to enjoy her passions for fishing and charting her Scottish ancestry.
“A faithful, determined, loving, passionate and enduring woman, who affected those she left behind more than she will ever know.”
David Crimmins
David Crimmins:
A gentle giant of a man who always brought a smile and a kind word with him when he came looking for his sons, David Jr. and Jon, in the aisles of Videoville.
Like one of his favorite musical artists, Johnny Cash, Mr. Crimmins walked the line and was rock solid in his beliefs.
His children and grandchildren (Maggie and Aiden), and a daughter-in-law or two (Jodi), were Wolf athletes, but it’s the video store days where his memory looms largest for me.
Did he ever have a late fee or two? If he did, they all somehow got “accidentally” erased, cause I’ll be danged if I was going to charge him extra.
Anna Eelkema
Anna Eelkema:
Mother to Wolf Moms Kristy Anderson and Jennifer Roberts, and grandmother to current athletic supernovas Chase and Grace.
She was a leader in 4H who “loved horses and cared deeply for all the children in the community who came to her farm to ride.”
A green thumb in the garden who tended her orchards with great care, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and greatly enjoyed participating in bible studies.
“Her love for God was paramount in her life.”
Fred Farris, Sr.
Fred Farris, Sr.:
Father of Coupeville coach Fred Farris, father-in-law of Wolf Mom Susan, grandfather of athletic stars Keaton, Vivian, and Mia.
He served his country proudly as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, returning home to work in printing, before stints with the Chrysler Corporation and selling real estate.
Whether gardening, working with wood, fishing, or hunting, he was a man with many pursuits, but none meant as much to him as his family did.
“A warm and lively person with a big personality and a smile that brightened the room.
“His playful and energetic personality was as contagious as his laugh!”
Bill and Sylvia Grasser
Bill Grasser:
One half of a true Coupeville power couple, Sylvia’s husband was so popular they named a lagoon after him.
Ot at least that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
A Coupeville grad who played baseball for the Wolves, he went on to ride the waves in the Coast Guard before delivering fuel from port to port aboard his tugboat.
Logging, construction work, heavy equipment operator, before hauling produce as a trucker — Mr. Grasser was a working man through and through.
His children and grandchildren are among the best athletes CHS has ever seen, and he supported them all with a quiet smile.
A rare man in every way.
Chuck Hammer
Chuck Hammer:
He hated Bottle Rocket, and he never let me forget it, and yet, he continued to ask for movie recommendations until our final days passing each other in the aisles at Videoville.
Though, in the later days we agreed — if I hated a film, he’d probably like it.
And if I loved a movie, I mean really LOVED it, it probably wasn’t for him.
An utterly calm and composed man — even while detailing to me the 10,001 ways he detested Bottle Rocket — his demeanor spoke to his great success as an air traffic controller.
And probably how he survived his time driving a bus for Island Transit.
A true gentleman.
William Meche
William Meche:
Father to late Wolf volleyball coach Kim Meche, the first person inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame.
A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he moved West, where he became an Oak Harbor High School grad and Naval veteran.
Like his daughter, Mr. Meche was a person of great grace, integrity, and friendliness.
Jake Ryder-Johnson
Jake Ryder-Johnson:
The closest thing Coupeville has ever had to “The Dude.”
He would drum the theme song to Scooby-Doo with his hands on the top of the gumball machine at Videoville, then fade away into the night while the magic still hung in the air.
A talented musician with an uncanny range, a free-wheeling man o’ mystery, and a gentle soul.
Plus, one of the few people my sister would give a car ride to back in the day.
That was a time when he rode shotgun while my oldest nephew was a wee baby camped out in the back sippin’ a bottle and counting how many cars mom passed while driving with her knees so she could swap out Grateful Dead cassettes.
I hope Jake found peace, and I hope he knew how much he meant to all of us.
Valerie (Sebo) Sem
Valerie Sem:
Wolf Mom whose daughter, Julianne, soared as a tennis player, member of the theater troupe, and honor student.
A graduate of Oak Harbor High School herself, Mrs. Sem “enjoyed boating, traveling and walking on beaches looking for sea glass and shells.”
An avid hiker, gardener and party planner, she “always won the award for being the best dressed.”
“A friend to everyone and made friends wherever she went.”
Benye Weber (center)
Benye Weber:
One of the hardest working volunteers in the biz and a longtime Videoville customer.
She devoted countless hours to the Island County Soroptimists, the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival, the Republicans of Island County, the Coupeville Water Festival, and the Island County Fair.
A world traveler, Mrs. Weber spent 59 of her 87 years on Whidbey and “was always on the go lending a helping hand.”
Shirley Yunker
Shirley Yunker:
A Videoville renter — I don’t think she liked Bottle Rocket, either… she was unfailingly polite to me over the years.
An avid golfer and knitter who was active in her church, Mrs. Yunker worked with the hospital guild and many other charity organizations.
“First and foremost a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother always making things extra special for her large family.”
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