Joseph “Joe” Charles Chopot died on November 12, 2024, in Heber City, Utah. He was born on March 3, 1931, in Colville, Washington, to John J. Chopot and Lucille M Falkenberg Chopot. He married Maria Castro Flores on December 20, 1952. After their divorce he married Reyna Maria Sanchez on July 5, 1968. They divorced in 1989. On February 14, 2004, he married Ruby Caidic Gumanyao. They have been separated for years.
Joe received his BA in Education with a major in Industrial Arts and minor in Music from Eastern Washington College of Education which is now Eastern Washington University. He loved to play the trumpet and would give impromptu concerts to family and friends. He enjoyed traveling and loved the Pacific Islands. He was a teacher at heart, and was an educator for 20 years, including 7 years in Elementary, 11 years in Junior and Senior High School in classroom and industrial arts, and 2 years as the Principal Supervisor of the first vocational school in American Samoa. He loved being helpful and building and remodeling homes.
Surviving Joe are his children: Diane Chopot, Christopher (Teresa) Chopot, Mark Chopot, and Cynthia (Eric) Ball; and grandchildren: Rio Chopot, Brendan (Lydia) Ball, Kristen (Aaron) Fonnesbeck, Mackenzie (Hayden) Spears, Lance Ball, and Ryne Ball. He was preceded in death by his parents John Chopot and Lucille Falkenberg Chopot; and his siblings: Catherine Chopot Mittlidger, Edward Chopot, Charles Chopot, Frances Chopot Loan, and Rose Chopot Spegal.
Cremation has occurred and Joe's cremated remains will be released in Hilo, Hawaii on February 16, 2025, exact times and location is to be determined.
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