Senator Oke dies at 66


June 12, 2008 · Updated 9:46 AM 

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Longtime senator and Port Orchard resident Bob Oke died Monday night after battling blood cancer for three years, his former public information officer Penny Drost said Tuesday.

Oke served 16 years as a Republican senator for the 26th District of Washington State, which includes South Kitsap County and the city of Port Orchard.

Oke, 66, had been battling a rare form of blood cancer, multiple myeloma, which he had been diagnosed with in 2004. He received two stem cell transplants, the last in 2006 from his brother.

He died around 9 p.m., with his wife Judy and granddaughter Amy Derby by his side.

The Okes had three daughters and a son, and eight grandchildren, with a ninth expected in July.

Services have yet to be announced.

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