Tribute

The Reverend Harry G. Kapeikis passed on to be reunited with his Savior and his beloved wife Jo Ann on June 10, 2022 in Penticton, BC.  He is survived by children Paul Kapeikis with Louise Kapeikis and Cheryl Hofman with Peter Duncan, by grandchildren Krista Hyde with Tyler Hyde, Vanessa Kapeikis, Kaela Kapeikis, Danika Kapeikis with Nils Bruinsma, Raelene Nicole Hofman and Liam Kapeikis and by two great grandchildren Kienna Hyde and Kingston Hyde.

Born Harijs Gastons, to parents Erna & Arvids Kapeikis on July 22, 1935 in Riga Latvia, Harry lived an extraordinarily life. His family fled Riga in 1944 and were “displaced” until arriving in Tacoma WA in 1949. Upon arriving in North America Harry recognized such great opportunity while adopting to a new language and culture. He earned a Bachelor degree in Architecture from the University of Washington and the rank of Captain in the US Army.

On September 14, 1957 he married Jo Ann Doubek and the Two became One.  Together they created a very successful residential Design and Construction business in Western Washington.  In 1964 their financial security, love of working with young people and devotion to God drew them to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley CA where while but one diploma was presented, they earned a Master Degree in Divinity. Upon graduation they sought adventure and moved to rural Canada where they simultaneously served three churches in Sedgwick, Lougheed and Irma Alberta. In 1971 they accepted a call to Highwood Lutheran Church in Calgary Alberta for the expressed opportunity to work with the youth of that congregation. Those Highwood Youth and their many successes became one of Harry/Jo Ann’s proudest achievements in life. In 1976 they accepted a call to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Penticton British Columbia where they served nine years until commencing a premature retirement in 1985.  Over the course of the next two years they served as interim pastor until finally accepting a “part time” call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oliver BC in 1987. They worshiped at St. John’s for the next 13 years until again retiring in 1999. In their later years the appreciation of their blessed life and the continued flow of creativity was expressed in the authoring of four autobiographical books.

On Good Friday, April 2, 2021 the One was torn in half when Jo Ann passed away following a graceful and gallant battle with cancer. Harry’s existence had been incomplete ever since. On June 10, 2022 at 11:07 Harry and Jo Ann were reunited as One for the rest of eternity.

Services will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church June 19, 2022 at 3:00 PM with fellowship hour to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Moog & Friends Hospice facility in Penticton or to the Canadian Cancer Society are greatly appreciated!

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com