IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROSS KENEPAH — 1953-2025: Ross Chee Kenepah, 72, of Olympia, Washington, passed away at home on Oct. 31, 2025.
Born in Centralia, Washington, on July 22, 1953, Ross spent much of his life in Lewis County. He graduated from W.F. West High School in 1971 and later from St. Martin’s University in Olympia with a degree in criminal justice. He also attended Washington State University and was a diehard Cougars fan his entire life.
Ross worked in law enforcement for 35 years as a deputy and detective with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He always went above and beyond in his job, developing skills in crime scene investigation that made him a sought-after resource for agencies around the state. Some of his notable work included contributing to the Green River Task Force and the Knotek homicide case in Raymond, Washington.
Ross retired to Ocean Shores and spent happy years there enjoying the beach, reading and keeping up with news of the Navajo Nation, of which he was a proud member. But his greatest source of pride and focus was his three children — Jessica, Alek and Colton. He loved them more than anything.
Survivors include Jessica Vanderveldt (Nick), Alek Kenepah (Andrew) and Colton Kenepah (Austin); siblings Tony Trujillo (Mary Jane), Marilyn Lemar (David), Robin Kenepah, Don Tucker, Tim Tucker (Manuela) and Ann Tucker-Gwinn (Robert); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Tucker and Jess Kenepah; his brother-in-law, Wayne Martin; and his sister, Barbara Peterson.
About the Author
