The memorial service for Lynn Kohala Lopes, 72, of Aberdeen, SD, will be 2:00pm, Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Aberdeen First Assembly, with Pastor Ben Snyder Officiating. “Aloha” Attire Welcomed. At Lynn’s request, his burial will be at the beautiful military National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. Lynn died Monday, July 21, 2025.

Lynn Kohala Lopes was born on January 19, 1953 to Leialoha Kanehailua Lopes and William Antone Lopes in Hawaii. He enjoyed Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and played football during high school. Lynn graduated from McKinley High School in Hawaii in 1971 and attended the University of Hawai’i, majoring in Physical Education with a minor in Health.

Lynn served in the Marines during the Vietnam Wartime and assisted Vietnamese Refugees.

Lynn met and married his first wife Judith K. Morman from Yankton South Dakota in 1976 in California. They moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota. Judith passed away in July 1978 leaving Lynn with 2 children, Eddie and Howard.

Lynn attended Northern State University and was a standout football player under Coach Kretchman. As a Golden Gloves Boxer Lynn won a regional championship in Marshall, Minnesota. He advanced to a Golden Gloves Champion of Champions in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lynn met Beth Schaunaman in January 1979 and Lynn and Beth were married in Hawaii on August 18, 1979. They made their home in Aberdeen. Lynn graduated from Northern State University in 1980 and worked as a Recreational Therapist for 7 years. His family moved to Hawaii to be near Lynn’s family. Lynn taught at Waianae Intermediate School as a Special Education Teacher and Special Olympic Coach. For 10 years Lynn could be seen every day after school playing ball with his students. They went all over the Hawaiian Islands participating in special Olympic events. Lynn was the Summer School Director at Waianae Intermediate School for 5 years. Lynn enjoyed taking his family to local restaurants in Waikiki and the beach on the weekends. He played basketball and softball with Calvary Church of the Pacific League with his sons.

Lynn taught his children how to swim, surf, boogie board and fish. He loved playing football with his boys and going to his children’s athletic events. He enjoyed cooking local Hawaiian meals.

In 1998, the family moved back to Aberdeen with their baby girl Hannah, and preschool aged son Joshua so Beth could stay home to care for the children while Lynn worked. Lynn was hired at the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board as a Tobacco Prevention Director. After 6 years the family moved to Maui, Hawaii. Lynn had a house built on Hawaiian Homelands with an Ocean view. Lynn taught Special Education classes at King KeKaulike High School. He loved the outdoors, planting tropical trees and native plants in his yard. Lynn had a big heart for many people, and even saved a few people’s lives. Lynn dearly loved his wife Beth, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. For many years Lynn played the drums and congas for church congregations in Hawaii and in Aberdeen, SD.

Lynn loved God and served him faithfully. Lynn was a humble man with a big heart especially for the disadvantaged. He was a good provider and had a great sense of humor.