Leo Patrick Determan

Leo Patrick Determan, 56, died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack on Tuesday, December 6, 2005, at his home in Tumwater. He was born in Fife, Washington on August 17, 1949 to Raymond and Betty (McGuire) Determan. He was the third of seven children (yes, he was Catholic) and had three brothers, Fred (Mollie), Richard (Theresa), and Philip; and three sisters, Mary (Bob), Jane (Peter), and Bernadine (Sean). He spent most of his childhood in Walla Walla, Washington. He spent years picking strawberries in the fields and helping out on a farm. He graduated from DeSales High School in 1968, made his way to St. Martin's College (yes, he was a very good Catholic), and graduated with a degree in Sociology/Psychology in 1972 after many tours of the Olympia Brewery with friends, especially Peter Wagner. Soon after graduation he began a long career with Chevron U.S.A. He began working in the Tumwater station, eventually assisting in the management of the Tumwater and Centralia stations, and then becoming an "office guy", commuting to the Seattle Regional Office. With his experience of driving I-5 and three daughters around, it was only natural that he became a bus driver for the Tumwater School District. He enjoyed interacting with the students of all levels and often came home with many interesting stories of his day. His respect and love for the students was reciprocated often when he received school pictures, drawings, notes, and treats from his clientele. He was honored as Bus Driver of the Year for the 1997 to 1998 School Year. He was also a member of the Shelton Elks Lodge. Leo met his wife of 33 years, Barbara Tungpalan, in 1971 through Leo's sister, Jane, who attended Marylhurst College with Barbara. Leo and Barbara were married in 1972 and had three daughters, Melissa, Christina, and Lori-Ann. As a couple, they enjoyed watching the latest movie releases, supporting their family, and, especially, caring for their grandchildren. His tremendous love and support for Barbara helped her earn a Bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College in June of 2005. With no sons, Leo taught his girls to mow the lawn, appreciate football, and take care of themselves. He was very proud of his daughters and all their accomplishments. In fact, he bragged about them often to friends and family. With Melissa, he honed her analytical skills by discussing the right answer for the "You Make the Call" football segments every week. With Chris, he rode his bike and talked while she trained to be a track star. With Lori-Ann, he gave the ultimate gift of life by donating one of his kidneys to her in 1986. Leo embraced Barbara's Filipino culture of unconditional love for all his friends and family, and had a special relationship with most people he met. He welcomed everyone into his home, usually offering them a beer or rum and coke and challenging them to a game of computer golf. His family, friends, and the friends of his daughters often describe him as a great listener, and he went to great lengths to show his support for all their endeavors. Because of his talent for listening, he remembered stories well and retold them vividly. He loved to smile and make others smile by sharing stories of people who impacted his life on a daily basis. The people who could do no wrong in his eyes were his grandchildren, Kainoa and Kincaid. He spent hours every week with his granddaughter, Kainoa, playing tea party and baseball, teaching her a new game or skill, and putting her down for her naps with a story. Papa traveled to the ends of the earth (Kosovo) to spend time with his grandson, Kincaid. He also looked forward to seeing Kincaid on the webcam as much as possible. When Kincaid was here, Papa filled up the swimming pool for him and camped in Montana with him. His favorite times were the mornings when he had both of his grandchildren in his arms. Leo is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, of Tumwater; his daughters, Melissa Beard (Jim), of Olympia, and Christina Zahrobsky (Noah), of Pristina, Kosovo; and his grandchildren, Kainoa Beard and Kincaid Zahrobsky. He is also survived by some very special extended family members: father-in-law, Ben Tungpalan, of Honokowai, Hawaii; sister- and brother-in-law, Deborah and Bill Leuschen, of Lacey; sisters-in-law, Monica Aarhus, of Honokowai, Hawaii, and Helen Detterman of Santa Cruz, California; cousins, Freddy and Marge Gabriel, of Waialua, Hawaii, Terry Gabriel, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Brenda and Larry Matsuda, of Hana, Hawaii; nieces, Angie Becker (Aric), of Olympia, Joanna Hiatt (Chris), of Vaughn, Carrie Moore (Brian), of Pullman, Michele Anderson (Craig), of Bonney Lake, Nikki McFadden (Dennis), of Tacoma, Jeni-Lee Foust and Jackie Tungpalan, of Honokowai, Hawaii, and Brookie Detterman of Santa Cruz, California; nephews, Deme Detterman, of Santa Cruz, California, and Daniel Tungpalan, of Honokowai, Hawaii; great-nieces, Dannielle and Taylor Becker; great-nephew, Derrick Becker; and numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was always in awe of the love all of these people had for him. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori-Ann, and is enjoying her company once again with her in his lap. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary being said at 6:00 p.m., at Mills & Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Road S.W., Tumwater. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 812 Bowker Street S.E., Lacey, with a visitation preceding at 9:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the church in Hallen Hall. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Mills & Mills Memorial Park, 5725 Littlerock Road S.W. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Northwest Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 3035, Seattle, Washington, 98114. More importantly, the family requests that you show your love and appreciation for your friends and family every day, just like Leo did.