Marshall Earl Klopich

Marshall Earl Klopich

04/25/1921 – 12/31/2012

Marshall was born in Duluth MN and lived to be 91 years old. His father was a Russian (Cossack) immigrant, his mother a strong American woman. To Marshall he was never Russian, except by heritage, but always an American and patriot. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1941, at the beginning of WWII with his boyhood buddy and best friend Bobby Parker, who’s still is his best friend after all these years and is also 91 years old. During WWII he served proudly in the European African Middle Eastern Campaign. He also served in the American, and Asiatic Pacific Campaigns. He later served in Korea. He retired from the Coast Guard in 1961as a Chief Gunners Mate. While working as a civilian he was pulled back into service, in the late 60’s, to lend his expertise for the war effort in Viet Nam. He served in three wars. He married Challis (Skillin) Klopich on March 23 1949. His beloved wife and our mother, passed away in 1999 after 50 years of marriage. They lived in Auburn WA for over 30 years. Marshall happily joins her now at the Tahoma National Cemetery. When they married she had two children at the time; Mike Nogueira (deceased) and Patrick Klopich (West Seattle, WA). Challis and Marshall had three children of their own. Karol (Klopich) Brack (Texas), Karen Klopich (Auburn, WA.), and Russell Klopich (Splendora, TX). Later in life the 10 grandsons and daughters and the abundance of great grandkids – too numerous to name, became another joy in his life. He says good-bye to his friends at Vito’s, Charlie’s, and the Iron Horse. He says good-bye to the Auburn Golf Club, where he liked to watch the eagles in the trees above the greens, when he got too old to golf himself. Services will be held at Yahn and Son Funeral Home, 55 W Valley Hywy South, Auburn WA. on Tuesday, January 8th 2013 at 12:30.

Semper Paratus