Subscribe

Obituaries for March 30, 2017

timestamp icon
category icon Death Notices

PAID OBITUARY

Darsi Rae Harris Hall

Darsi Rae Harris Hall entered this world on March 7, 1958 small in stature but ready to take on the world with stubbornness and boldness, exactly the same way she left this world. She had just recently celebrated her 20th anniversary of being forever 39 years old. She was the 2nd child born to William and Lavine Harris in Vancouver, WA in the exact same hospital and in the exact same room exactly 3 years and 2 days after the arrival of their 1st child Debbie. Close in age but very different in personality the two sisters spent most of their childhood “loudly disagreeing” with one another on most things, but grew to accept each other and form a unique bond only sisters can have. When Darsi was 4 years old her baby of the family status was changed to middle child status when her younger brother Dirk arrived. She was so excited about his arrival that she nicely and emphatically asked her parents if they could, “Throw him in the garbage!” Which to her 4 year old dismay did not happen and after years of growing up they began growing closer.

During Darsi’s early years she began working on her lifelong skill of keeping people on their toes! She was not the most graceful child; some might even call her accident prone. So much so that at one point the hospital reached out to Lavine and asked if there was some abuse happening in the home, because the girl could not keep from injuring herself in grand fashion. As she became older the broken bones healed and slowed, and her strong willed personality became stronger. She was what her mother referred to as her independent, stubborn, free spirited, strong willed, hippie child and as she reached adulthood those traits did not change. There was never a question where you stood with Darsi, she was honest and straight forward and told it like it was whether you were ready for it or not, she did not know how to be phony. A truly admirable characteristic for a person to have is complete and utter honesty about how they feel and she not only possessed it but did so proudly.

Through her school years in Washougal, Washington where she grew up, she surrounded herself with a very special group of friends. Some were cousins and others were of no blood relation but as the years went by and their bonds grew closer you would never know they were not all family. In High school and right after she worked at Heller’s Restaurant which is where she met Brian Hall. They dated and were married in 1982. A few years later began a new season of their lives and over the next years the two biggest treasures, blessings and often primary source of many headaches entered her life. First was the birth of her Daughter Samantha in the spring of 1987 followed by the birth of her Son Garrett in the winter of 1990. A short time later her marriage ended and her and the kids began their very own special journey together as their own version of the three amigos.

Her most important years were filled with being a mother to her greatest accomplishments Sam and Garrett. Working for what would become her lifelong career with her amazing second family Doug and Paula Forgey at Forgey Chiropractic, who treated her and loved her like she was one of their own. Spending time with her wonderful family who meant the world to her. Enjoying time with her amazing friends and co-workers. Developing an immense love for her amazing 4 legged companion Sage (who became her favorite child, as she informed us of many times as the years past). Figuring out the things she loved in life most such as Reading, snow skiing, traveling to the coast, good food, a great cocktail or two and obsessively cleaning; she was quite the neat freak! Eventually she was blessed with the greatest gift of all, grandchildren; and she loved Jaylen her little “J-Bird” and Quintin more than she knew how to ever put into words. She was for many and especially those close to her a true rock and constant in what can sometimes be a crazy life, even when her life wasn’t always so smooth and easy, she was steadfast.

Darsi traded in her sassy pants and fiery fighter spirit for a pair of angel wings and a promise to watch over all of those she cared so deeply for on March 25, 2017. Reuniting with her Father William Harris, Brother in Law Robert Morris, Grand Parents from both of her parents sides of the family, and many loved ones who gained their Angel Wings before her. She was survived by her Mother Lavine Harris; Sister Debbie Morris; Brother Dirk Harris; Her two adoring children; Daughter Samantha French and Son Garrett Hall; Son in Law Brian French, future Daughter in law Madeline Ward, her perfect and beautiful grandchildren Jaylen French and Quintin French, Numerous close cousins and countless Nieces, Nephews and great Nieces and great nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Church of The Good Shepherd located at 805 SE Ellsworth Road, Vancouver, WA 98664 with an onsite Reception to immediately follow.

In Darsi’s name and spirit the family asks that you please cherish your family, spend time with your children and grandchildren, take a walk on the beach with your loved ones, be brutally honest about all things in life and toast often to enduring friendships lifelong and beyond.

Read the complete obituaries in the Thursday, March 30, print edition of the Post-Record.

Gene E. Garwood

Gene Elgin Garwood, 85, died on March 26, 2017 in Vancouver, Washington. He was born to Elgin and Dorothy Garwood on February 19, 1932 in Lake City, Iowa. He has lived in Vancouver since 1968.

Gene served in the U.S. Navy (Korean Conflict). He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion Post #176, and the Church of Christ Restored, in Vancouver. Gene was a self-employed landscape contractor in the Landscape industry. He retired from SEH of America in 1988.

Gene is survived by his son, David G. (Traci) Garwood of Vancouver; daughters, Kathy (Randy) Pratt of Vancouver, Shari (Ed) Mason of Camas, and Christy (Jeff) Rew of Battle Ground; sister, Judy Hendricks of Lake City, Iowa; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Marlene.

A graveside service will be held at Washougal Memorial Cemetery on Friday, March 31st at 1 p.m.

The family requests memorials be made in Gene’s name to Hospice Southwest, PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.

Brown’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Please sign his guest book at www.brownsfh.com.

George W. “Bud” Bateman, Jr.

Wayne “Bud” Bateman, Jr., died March 20, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 29, 1944 to George and Doris Bateman, Sr. in The Dalles, Oregon. He was 72 and resided in the Camas/Washougal area for 54 years.

Bud graduated from Umatilla High School in 1962 and attended Oregon State University  in Corvallis. He went on to work for Crown Zellerbach for 14 years and retired from Tidewater Barge Lines in 2004.

Bud is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Linda at home; son, Geoffrey W. Bateman of Denver, Colorado; daughter, Stephanie Cavilin of Kent, Washington; sister, Pam Cooper of Stanfield, Oregon; two grandsons and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Donations in Bud’s memory can be made to PeaceHealth Hospice Southwest, P.O. Box 1600, Vancouver, Washington 98668.

The family will schedule a celebration of life at a later date.

Brown’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Please sign his guest book at: www.brownsfh.com.

Marcella M. Hughes

Marcella Mae Hughes, 79, died on March 27, 2017 in Vancouver, Washington. She was born to George and Cleone Royer on September 1, 1937 in San Diego, California. She was a resident of Vancouver for 43 years.

Marcella was a school bus driver for the Evergreen School District. She was a member of the King’s Church in Vancouver. Marcella enjoyed cooking and eating with family and friends, playing cards, board games, movies, camping, beach trips, long drives, ferry trips and reading the Bible. She also enjoyed going to the Clark County Fair, the Marshall Center for swimming and the Firstenburg Center for exercise and swimming.

Marcella is survived by her three sons, Michael Huges, Gary Hughes and Mark Staton; eight grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Per the family, there will be no service.

Brown’s Funeral Home & Cremation is in charge of arrangements. Please sign her guest book at: www.brownsfh.com.

Oral O’Dell

Oral O’Dell of North Bonneville, Washington, died March 21, 2017. He was born Nov. 18, 1920 to Floyd and Hazel O’Dell in Torrington, Wyoming.

Oral is survived by his wife, Dorothy O’Dell; children from his first marriage with Fern Hoffman: Gloria (Norm) Otto and Robert (Hiyasmin) O’Dell; stepchildren, Dick, Kevin, and Karen (Landers); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held March 27 at Straub’s Funeral Home in Camas. Vault interment with military honors was held at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery.

Straub’s Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation was in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.

Frederick H. Trott

Frederick H. Trott, 87, of Camas, died on March 26, 2017. Services are pending, and a full obituary will follow in the Thursday, April 6, Post-Record.

Straub’s Funeral Home and Columbia River Cremation (360) 834-4563 is handling the arrangements..

Patricia “Patti” D. Cullen

Patricia “Patti” Dee Cullen, age 54 years, died peacefully on March 15, 2017 in Washougal, Washington. She was born to Harold and Judy Andrews on March 17, 1962 in Vancouver, Washington. She was a lifetime Washougal resident.

Patti had a Bachelor’s degree from the Evergreen State College (Vancouver). She worked as a Child Support Enforcement for the State of Washington.

Pattie is survived by her husband, Aaron Cullen at home; son, Alex McCray of Washougal; father, Harold F. Andrews of Hailey, Idaho; mother, Judy Andrews of Washougal; brother, Duane W. Andrews of Washougal; 6 grandchildren; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

At this time a memorial service has not been scheduled.

Brown’s Funeral Home & Cremation services have been entrusted to the arrangements.

Please sign her guest book at www.brownsfh.com.

Karen R. Davis

Karen Rae (Noah) Davis of Albany, Oregon died March 15, 2017 at Albany General Hospital. She was 68.

Karen was born on April 26, 1948 in Lebanon, Oregon to Roy Noah and Virginia (Edwards) Noah. Her adventuring soul found friends in all corners of the Pacific Northwest. Her love of reading and work in the bars and taverns that she and her husband Joe owned through their life together, fed these friendships. They lived in Washougal for a time where they owned/operated Smeads Bar. She was most at peace on the coast.

Karen enjoyed her family, friends, and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she loved to spend time with them.

She was preceded in death to her parents, Roy Noah and Virginia (Edwards) Noah; and her husband, Billy Joe Davis.

She will be missed by her siblings, Vera (Noah) Pierce, June (Noah) Bladen, Patsy (Noah) Ulm, Gladys (Noah) Cross, and John Noah; her daughters, Melissa (Davis) Elsworth, Nola Davis, Dane Davis; stepchildren; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service, to celebrate her life, will be planned at a later time.

Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.

Read the complete obituaries in the Thursday, March 30, print edition of the Post-Record.