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Obituary for Wayne Howard Knapp

Wayne Howard  Knapp
Wayne Howard Knapp, Lt. Col (USAF) Ret.
Wayne Howard Knapp, Lt. Col. (USAF) Ret., age 90, thirty-three year resident of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, October 5, 2018, at Regency on Whidbey Assisted Living.
Lt. Col. Knapp was born in Mt. Vernon, WA, on September 5, 1928, to Robert E.L. Knapp and Irene (Davis) Knapp. He attended Mount Vernon schools, graduating from Mount Vernon High School. He attended the University of Utah, where he met his future wife, Carley. They were married on December 31, 1950 in Salt Lake City. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, retiring after 24 years with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His duty stations included: Sacramento, CA; Laredo and San Antonio, TX; Phoenix, AZ; England; Georgia; Vietnam; Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands; Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and finally Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL, where he retired. Wayne and his wife Carley moved to Oak Harbor in 1985. Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of serving his country.
While in Phoenix, Wayne accepted the Lord as his savior and lived his life as a servant of the Lord through his music ministry and sharing his faith with the world. He raised his family to love and serve the Lord. Faith was central to his family’s life.
Wayne’s devotion to his family was palpable. Love, acceptance, and forgiveness were always present. He is survived by his wife Carley and his children: Laura Knapp (Coleman), Wayne Knapp Jr., and Ellen Knapp (Antonelli). Grandchildren: Chad Coleman, Becky Coleman (Roehl), Cathy Knapp, Jennifer Knapp, Tim Oliver, Becky Oliver, Beth Oliver (Eubanks), and his 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Jill Coleman and grandson Todd Oliver.
Wayne blessed his family’s life and his community with his music, art, and photography—he composed piano music, playing at home and in church, and ministered to Vietnamese by taking a portable piano into villages and playing for various villagers; he also directed and sang in church choirs, and while serving in England, he directed the American choir, taking his choir all over England; his art can be found all over the world; he and his wife Carley built a cottage-industry business selling cards and prints of his photography. When the sun was shining, Wayne and Carley would drive all over the countryside, always stopping to take beautiful pictures. Their life was always an adventure.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 21, 2018, 4:00 PM at First Reformed Church, Pastor Matt Waite officiating, with Military Honors performed under the auspices of the McChord Air Force Base Honor Guard. Graveside Service will be Monday, October 22, 2018, 10:00 AM at Grand View Cemetery, Anacortes. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to First Reformed Church, 250 SW 3rd Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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