Karl Willilam Croswhite

Karl William Croswhite III, 42 years young, of Tacoma, passed away on the 21st of August due to a brief illness. He was born on the 14th of October 1970 in Bellevue, WA to Darla and Karl Croswhite. Karl was a proud graduate of Renton High School, where he played football and was a grappler on the wrestling team. He lived in the Anchorage area of Alaska for ten years with his first wife, Michelle, and their three children. There, Karl became a fixture in the community, volunteering at his children's school, Academy Charter. It was also where he found the career that he loved. Karl truly enjoyed working as a slick line operator for Schlumberger at Prudhoe Bay and for Halliburton overseas. Most of all, he valued the friendships he made along the way. In 2010, Karl relocated back to Washington to start the next chapter in life. On a lazy warm September afternoon, after a long exchange of repartee and a breath of confidence and courage, he and Leilani met for the first time, where they went to coffee and talked for hours. It felt as if they'd known each other for years. The coffee meetings became more frequent and the adventures became more daring and memorable, and soon the relationship and foundation for their new lives would take shape. Karl and Leilani married the 24th of August 2012, and then welcomed their son, Anthony, into the world a month later. Karl had a robust, hearty laugh that would brighten up the room where ever he was. His love of life was obvious. Where he was, was where you would find the party. Karl loved being around his family, whether it was taking them camping at the ocean or watching UFC fights at his sister's house with all of his brothers in law. Karl loved music and had many a story of growing up in Seattle, going to concerts and being in the area during the onset of grunge. He was often heard singing along to his favorite songs and then state, "I sound just like him, don't I?" An avid sports fan, Karl had devotion for all teams that were Seattle. In the last couple of years he was introduced to soccer and fell in love with it. Karl knew he was hooked when he made his ultimate purchase: a Sounders FC scarf. Above all else, Karl prized his children the most. Not a day went by when he wasn't talking, smiling, or worrying about them. His energy and love for them could be felt when you listened to the countless stories he'd tell about them as he recounted a blessed life being their father. He was so proud of their achievements in life and was looking forward to doing it all over again with Anthony. He is survived by his wife Leilani; daughters Allyssa and Nicole; sons Arick, Karl and Anthony; grandmother Evelyn Ehlke; parents Darla and Karl Croswhite; uncle David Ehlke and Peggy; sister Kristin and Rodney Loos; niece Maycie and nephew Kaden; parents in law Laureen and Robinson Erechar; brother in law Robert and Denise Erechar; nephew Alexander and niece Keilani, as well as an extended loving family and a long list of friends. Memorial service to be held Friday, 30th of August at 11:00 am, in the First Baptist Church of Lakewood, located at 5400 112th St SW, Lakewood, Washington. The family will be holding a private burial at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, Washington. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center, 253-566-1008