Loyd DeWayne Hoyt, 73, of Vashon Island, passed away in his island home, Saturday, March 18, encircled by the love of his three daughters and with his beloved cat Schrödinger by his side.

He was born on April 7, 1943, in Elk City, Oklahoma, to the late Loyd and Ruth Hoyt. The Hoyt Family moved to Enumclaw, WA, in 1946, where brother Wendell was born, and then to Parkland, WA, in 1957. DeWayne graduated from Franklin Pierce High School in 1961, and received a degree from the University of Washington in 1966. Married in 1962, DeWayne and Nancy (Brown) Olson, moved to Hawaii with their three daughters in 1969, where they stayed for several years, creating lasting friendships.

Returning to a different kind of island life, DeWayne relocated to Vashon in 1973. He and his long-time partner, the late Janet Behrends, lived in the same island home on the north end for many years. Affectionately known as Dew, Papa, Papa Dew, Pops, and his favored daughter moniker, El Supremo, DeWayne’s life was woven tightly around his treasured island of the past 44 years. DeWayne considered many of the dear friendships forged during 70s island life to be his family to his last days.

While he worked for much of his life as a builder and contractor, DeWayne’s greatest passion was art. His pieces, whether carved, painted, or sculpted of fiberglass and found objects, were filled with whimsy, and were guaranteed to make you look twice and then smile. In his later years, DeWayne could be reliably found around breakfast time, cradling his third cup of coffee on a chair at Sporty’s, sharing a story with anyone who’d like to have a seat.

DeWayne is survived by his three daughters: Erika Verfaillie, of Vaughn, WA; Kelli Hoyt, of Portland, OR; and Kerri Hoyt Pack, of Portland, OR. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, whom he called his ‘perfect six pack’: Nicholas and Sophia Verfaillie; Taylor and Sam Lewis; and Hadley and Emma Pack. He is also survived by his dear brother, Wendell Hoyt of Seattle, and wife Diane Rolfe, and ever his favorites, his nephews, Ian and Chris Hoyt, and niece, Erin Manke.

A joyful gathering to celebrate the remarkable life of DeWayne Hoyt will be held on April 22 at the Sportsman’s Club on Vashon Island at 3pm. All are welcome.

Please visit the online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com for more details.