Les "Leslie" Emil Tamajka

Les (Leslie) Emil Tamajka was born on June 19, 1947 in Rimovska Sec, Slovakia to Josephine and John Tamajka. When Les was 4 years old, his parents were determined to leave Hubina, Slovakiain 1951 in what was then known as Czechoslovakia and was under communist rule. They eventually went to France, left Europe and traveled via ship to the United States, resided in Winnipeg, Manitoba and later became Canadian citizens. During Les’ teen years, in the early 1960’s, the family moved from Canada to California where Les attended Junior High School and graduated in 1966 from Canoga Park High School. Following High School, he enrolled at Pierce College in the San Fernando Valley, attended college for one year and was then drafted by the US Army during the Vietnam era in 1967, but did not serve overseas. He was stationed initially at Ft. Lewis, was transferred and primarily stationed in Alaska. He returned to Ft. Lewis where he was honorably discharged in 1969 after completing his two-year term. As a young adult, Les became interested in construction and followed in his dad’s footsteps. Les started as an apprentice, and then later became an entrepreneur and restaurateur and was the co-owner of Sumner Builders, the Royal Inn, the Gateway and Sharkey’s along with his dad and brother-in-law. Les had many diverse interests and hobbies throughout his life. He was interested in hot and fast cars, which were his pride and joy – a 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback, a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner, and a 1976 Corvette. He was an avid collector of coins, stamps and baseball cards. Les also had a keen interest in tropical fish, as well as the sport of salmon fishing. He was involved in many sports including ice hockey and curling for which he won many trophies, ribbons and a Sportsmanship Award. Les ran track and set many records in Junior High and High School and he enjoyed long-jumping and shotput. In his adult years, he also won trophies bowling and playing darts. Later in life, he discovered an interest in gemology and became very skilled at mining gemstones and precisely cutting and setting them. He eventually retired and most recently resided at Cascade Vista in Tacoma, WA. Les passed away on September 2, 2017 at age 70 at Franciscan Hospice House of Tacoma. He is survived by his son Allan Tamajka, daughter Amber Tamajka, and grandson, Bentley McCollaum. Les was the eldest of four children and is survived by his siblings:Mary Wolever (Marv Wolever), Lydia Wilke and Angela Tamajka (Dustin Lafferty). His nieces and nephews include: Shelly Lambert, Curt Wolever (Raddawan Wolever), Heidi Roy (Mike Roy), Violette Lafferty and Miles Lafferty. Great nieces and nephews: Jessica Lambert, Colby Roy, Loni Roy and Gabriella Wolever. Service to be held at: Tahoma National Cemetary 18600 SE 240th Street Kent, WA 98042-4868 Monday, October 30th at 11:30 am