Robert Steven Opel

Robert Steven Opel passed away March 2, 2007.
Steve was born in Snohomish on July 8, 1934, the fifth child and only son of John (Jack) Opel and Evalyn McDannald Opel.
His sisters, Arliss, Kathleen, Jacque and Patsy have all predeceased him.
He was a proud 1952 graduate of Snohomish High School, He joined the Army in 1953, and left the service in 1955. He graduated from Everett Community College and from Western Washington College of Education. In 1957, Steve married Erlayne Petersen, also from Snohomish. He began a teaching career in Marysville in 1961. He retired from that district in 1991 and continued to substitute teach for eight more years.
Steve loved his family, teaching and baseball, not always in that same order. He felt he had discovered the best job in the world when he began teaching at Liberty Elementary School and still believed that when he retired. He coached baseball in the Marysville Little League system for 13 years and at M-PHS for another 12 years. Steve enjoyed his designation as the Voice of the Tomahawks, announcing all football and basketball games for many years at M-PHS. In 1989, he was presented an award by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association for Outstanding Contribution and Services to High School Athletes.
Steve and Erlayne enjoyed a close-knit family with their three sons, Kevin (Sue), John (Fran) and Patrick (LaRay). Their grandchildren include Kevins children, David and Kelly, Sues children, Christina and Kohlton, John and Frans children, Christen Dickerson (Joe), Jack and Joey, and Patrick and LaRays daughters, Alexa and Kirstie. Steve was also Papa to great-grandson Caleb Dickerson. Steve leaves several nieces and nephews, including special niece Jonelle McCrorey, with whom there was an extra-close and loving relationship. Jonelles love and care in Steves final weeks were especially comforting to us all.
He will be missed by many close friends who contributed concern, companionship and love during his illness.
Thanks to Dr. Richard Terry and his nurse, Paula Skomsky, for their many years of medical care and concern. Without them Steves life would surely have been shorter and more difficult.
A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Marysville, Saturday, March 10, at 2 p.m.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Marysville School District Foundation for scholarships or the American Diabetes Association.
We will forever miss your wit and wisdom and your always feeling pretty darn good no matter what.