Robert DeLeo: Active at St. Thomas More Parish, he loved to fish, hike and travel

Robert “Bob” Doyle DeLeo passed away on Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington.

He was the first baby born on January 24, 1930 at the New Hospital in Port Townsend, Washington, to John and Caryl DeLeo.

During high school in Port Townsend he served in the Navy Reserve.

After high school, he played on the Saint Martin’s University basketball team before meeting his wife, Karen Johnson, whom he married on November 22, 1952 at St. James Cathedral Chapel in Seattle, Washington.

He served with honor in the United States Air Force and had a successful career as a longshoreman in Seattle and a member of ILWU local 19. He retired from the Jones Stevedoring Company as head of equipment closets.

He was an active parishioner at St. Thomas More Parish in Lynnwood, Washington, where in the early years he worked with the founding priest to bring St. Vincent de Paul into the parish, served on the parish council that converted the middle school into St. Thomas More School and taught several religious education classes. During his frequent home visits to St. Vincent de Paul families at risk, he made countless donations and made sure everyone he met felt valued.

He loved steelhead and salmon fishing, hiking in the mountains with his brother-in-law Barry Johnson, boating around Puget Sound, traveling and playing golf. Every day he sought a new adventure with a gifted sense of humor, thoughtful kindness to all people and deep love for his family.

Robert was preceded in death by his brother Johnny; sister, Beatrice; father, John; Mother Caryl and his wife Karen DeLeo. He is survived by his children: Roberta (Bruce) Krause, John (Debora) DeLeo, Sheri (Ron) Honeycutt, and Michael (Yong) DeLeo. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on January 6, 2023 at St. Thomas More Parish, followed by a church reception and funeral service at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery in Shoreline, Washington. The presiding priest will be Father Dalton. Beck’s Funeral Home in Edmonds, Wash. will coordinate the services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Thomas More Parish at 6511 176th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037.

Jesus said these words in the Gospel of John.

I am the bread of life (6:35)

I am the light of the world (8:12)

I am the door (10:7, 9)

I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14)

I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)

I am the way and the truth and the life (14:6)

I am the true vine (15:1, 5)