DALLAS STEVEN KLOKE

1939 - 2010

Dallas Steven Kloke of Anacortes passed away on September 25, 2010 at the age of 71, as a result of a mountain climbing accident in the North Cascades. He was as happy as he had ever been and died doing what he loved.

Dallas was born on September 14, 1939 in Burlington, WA to Loren and Anne (Connelly) Kloke.

He grew up in Sedro-Woolley with his two younger sisters, Karen and Janice, and had many fond memories of childhood.

Dallas graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1957 and continued his education at Yakima Community College and then Western State College (WWU), earning a Master's Degree in Education.

Dallas entered the teaching profession in 1962. He taught at various elementary schools before ending up in Oak Harbor School District and retired in 1995 after 33 years. Teaching was work to Dallas, but it was also a passion as it allowed him to be creative while inspiring students in need. Former students have contacted him over the years to express their gratitude for the positive impact he had on their lives.

In 1966 on a blind date, Dallas met Carolyn Stone of Mount Vernon. In 1967 they married. They spent 43 years together raising three children, Kristi, Steve and Neal. Anacortes was the town that they chose to make their home and raise their family. In 2007, they renewed their vows of marriage with family and church parishioners in attendance.

Dallas was a man who loved athletics and recreation. Running, hiking and climbing were Dallas' hobbies, but also his chores. Though he played sports in high school and college, he never considered himself a serious athlete until adulthood and looked at these activities as a way to keep the mind, body and spirit in shape. He wasn't concerned about winning and losing, but was a competitor. That spirit continued until his very last day. He wanted to share the joy of hiking and climbing with anyone who was serious. After retirement he began coaching track at Anacortes High School to pass on his knowledge and love of running.

What was most important to Dallas was his faith. He was a Christian man and his daily devotions and prayers strengthened him. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, a charter member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and a member and area contact for Solid Rock Climbers for Christ. Dallas wanted everyone to know how deep his spiritual and religious beliefs were and that his faith in the Lord is what sustained him.

Dallas was preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Anne Kloke; father-in-law, Arthur Carl Stone; and brother-in-law, Gordon Carl Olson.

Dallas is survived by his loving and supportive wife, Carolyn; daughter, Kristi Kloke of Bothell, WA; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Lisa Kloke; two precious granddaughters, Jessalyn Rose and Kaitlyn Jean, all of Longview, WA; son and daughter-in-law, Neal Kloke and Rafeeka Gafoor of Bellingham, WA. Dallas also leaves behind two sisters, Janice (Jim) Donaldson of Burlington, WA, Karen Olson of Mansfield, TX; mother-in-law, Arline Stone of Everett, WA; sister-in-law, Sharie (Matt) Ennis of Marysville, WA; and Uncle, Larry Connelly of South Dakota. Dallas was also blessed to have many nieces, nephews, and cousins who were an inspiration and joy to him.

The family of Dallas wishes to extend love, support and sympathies to all those friends, colleagues, students, athletes, climbers and fellow Christians who worked hard, played hard and prayed hard with him over the years. May God's Grace be with all of you.

A celebration of Dallas' life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Anacortes High School (Brodniak Hall), followed by a reception and fellowship in the high school cafeteria.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dallas' memory to the Whatcom, Skagit or Snohomish county Search and Rescue as their combined efforts resulted in his recovery.

Words cannot express the gratitude we have for the support of the Whatcom County Sheriff's office, especially Deputy George Ratayczak.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Dallas, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.