Dennis Charles "Doc Holiday" Koukol MD

Obituary: Dr. Dennis Charles Koukol

Dr. Dennis Charles Koukol passed away at his home in Olympia on Sunday, January 25, 2026. He was 83 years old but eternally young at heart.

Dennis was born on December 6, 1942 in Chicago, IL to George and Marie Koukol and had one brother, Brian Koukol. After receiving a chemistry set as a present, he knew he wanted to be a doctor. He spent the next 28 years in the greater Chicago area, completing his undergraduate at Northwestern University in 1964, with a detour to Milwaukee, WI to attend Marquette School of Medicine, graduating in 1968 as a Doctor of Medicine (MD). After completing his medical internship in 1969 and his first residency in psychiatry in 1970, he moved to Portland, OR in 1972 to continue his residency in internal medicine, was Chief Resident at University of Oregon in 1975, and completed his cardiology fellowship in 1977.

Later that year he moved to Tacoma, WA and began practicing as a Cardiologist. He was Chief of Medicine at Puget Sound Hospital and Chairman of Medicine at St. Joseph Hospital before opening his private practice alongside Dr. Jack Hill, the Heart Clinic of Tacoma. He was very loved by his patients. His final position was Chief Medical Consultant for the State of WA DDDS.

"Doc Holiday" lived life to the fullest and was the patriarch of the festive celebrations, especially Oktoberfest and Halloween. Most of all he loved the sea, captaining many boats including Snowhawke 1-3, Ladyhawke, and Fishhawke. He was proud of his active service in the US Navy aboard the NAS Albany from 1970-1972 as General Medical Officer, and continued in the reserves until 1978.

After many happy years together, Dennis married Glenda Christine Clarke on December 28th, 2023 in Olympia. He loved family and spent time taking Sockeye and Angel for walks, boating and fishing in the Broughtons of BC, camping and fishing at Lake Roosevelt WA, skiing in Big Sky MT with his brother, watching football Sundays, golfing, and taking many, many family photographs.

He is survived by his wife Glenda C. Clarke of Olympia, WA; his son Brent G. Koukol of North Bend, WA and daughter in law Dana Koukol; his daughter Kelly A. Jenkins of Rathdrum, ID and son in law Phillip Jenkins; his daughter Chelsea H.M. Santamaria of Eastsound, WA and son in law Gage Mitchell; his daughter Brittany M. Koukol-Arnst of Asheville, NC and son in law Bryan Arnst; and his brother Brian G. Koukol of Stillwater, MN and sister in law Jeanne Koukol.

He is also survived by his many wonderful grandchildren, Lauren and Nathanael Royer. Tyler, Cassandra, and Rosemary Koukol; Phoenix and Everyn Arnst; and his great grandchildren Annerose and Rosalind.

His life was truly the best ever.

"La Dolce Vita"