Obituary

Edward Romaka Kamkoff was born to Alex Kamkoff and Mary (Solomon) Plaster on April 20, 1941.  We will all remember Ed by his numerous stories he told everyone. He had stories for everyone. Stories from his Air Force days, helicopter mechanic days, fishing, crabbing, construction, and just average everyday kind of stories. He rarely told the same story twice.

During his childhood, he went to elementary at Lummi Day school, Des Moines elementary, Anchorage middle school and high school. He enlisted in the U.S Air Force on October 9, 1959. He attended school at Fort Lee, Virginia in January 1960 completing Cooks Course in March 1960. He was assigned to the 401st Combat Support Group (Tactical) located at England Air Force Base, Alexandria, Louisiana. He received Air Force Good Conduct Medal, SO G-4 401st Combat Support Group, Airforce Longevity Service Medal, and Air Force Reserve Medal. Edward was honorably discharged October 8, 1963 from England Air Force Base having obtained the rank of Airman 2nd class.  After the Air Force, Ed enrolled in courses at the Northrop Institute of Technology in Inglewood, CA, where he learned how to be a helicopter mechanic. When he moved back to Anchorage, he worked at various helicopter facilities.

After leaving Anchorage, Edward moved back to Lummi, where he has lived since 1978. He has been a fisherman, crabber, clam digger, construction worker, pipeline worker, and boat mechanic. Ed enjoyed visiting friends and family. Bowling, scrabble games, walking along the beach, watching football and telling stories. He would often get on the city bus, and spend the day riding from bus to bus around Bellingham just for something to do.

Edward passed away in his home peacefully in his sleep on December 26, 2021. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 11:00am at Lummi Cemetery.  Ed will be accompanied in burial with his beloved wife, Vela Kathleen (Julius) Kamkoff, who passed away on September 15, 2018.

Ed is survived by his children:  Wade, Josie, Eddie, Tina and Gail; brothers Chuck and Andy and sister SheriLee;  grandchildren: Haley, Wade, Aly, Trevor, Jasmine, Tatsiana, Livia, Henry, Damien, Danielle, Andrea, James Ethan, Cecilia, Justin, Paul, Julius, and Elijah.  Great-grandchildren:  Liam, Josiah, Cyrus, Stella and Kimimilia.

He is preceded in death by his wife Vela Kamkoff; son Henry Kamkoff; parents:  Mary (Solomon/Kamkoff) Plaster, Alex Kamkoff and James “Jim” Plaster;  grandchildren:  Corey Kamkoff and Denali James; paternal aunts:  Kate Johnson, Tatiana Kozevenikoff, Dora Bennett, Beatrice Anaruk, Maggie Sipary, Pauline Dunn, and Mary Mike; paternal uncle Romaka Miller; maternal aunts: Delia Hoskins, Arlene Solomon, Lillian Kinley and Nancy Lane; maternal uncles: Michael, James, Henry, Joseph, Williard, Charles, John, and Dewey Solomon.  His final resting place will be at the Lummi Cemetery.