Charles Harwood (“Woody”) Jepsen was born on Sept. 24, 1928 in Seattle and passed away in Friday Harbor on June 25, 2017.

Woody graduated from West Seattle High School, and then from the University of Washington in 1949 with a B.A. in business. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

Woody married his high school sweetheart, Helen Doyle, in 1950, and together they had three wonderful children: Vicki, Mark and Karen, and now have one grandchild, Warren Vernon.

Woody and Helen moved to Juneau, Alaska in 1951 while he was working with Pacific Northern Airlines. They loved Juneau and have many wonderful life long friends from their time there. They were there for six years before moving back to Seattle where Woody became a vice president for the airline. When PNA merged with Western Airlines, the family moved to Los Angeles in 1967. Los Angeles was not Woody’s favorite place to live; so with only two more years left until he could retire, he gave it all up and moved to Friday Harbor in 1969. A hard decision, but the best move ever. He joined his fraternity brother, Sam Buck, at San Juan Properties and began a new career in real estate. With his previous airline experience, he helped Helen start San Juan Travel. Woody later bought Inter-Island Properties, which is now Windermere on San Juan Island.

Woody had many interests and hobbies and was a member of several local organizations and civic groups including the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, and the Friday Harbor Planning Commission. He and Helen were original Seahawk season ticket holders. They were members of the Golf Club and also joined the San Juan Island Yacht Club in 1971. It is difficult to say what his favorite hobby was – he was great at so many; though he would be the last to tell you. He was a beautiful skier, an avid dog lover, he had his pilot’s license and a plane for a while, and he loved hunting and fishing. He also had a huge passion for boating, which he successfully passed on to his grandson, Warren.

Woody will be deeply missed by all who knew him; but we all live with the fondest memories of caring, love and compassion that he brought to our lives. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark in 1988. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen in Friday Harbor; his daughter Vicki and husband, John Vernon of McLean, Virginia; his daughter Karen and husband, Jeff Hegre of Everson, Washington and his grandson Warren Vernon, currently attending the University of Montana in Missoula.