1962
Stuart
2015
Stuart Alan Durfee
January 8, 1962 — May 17, 2015
Stuart Alan Durfee of Touchet passed away at Kadlec Regional Medical Center following a battle with thyroid cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends when Jesus welcomed him home.
Stuart was born on Jan. 8, 1962, in Dayton to Elbert and Helen Durfee. He attended Dayton schools from kindergarten through his high school graduation in 1980. He was in the Boy Scouts and the Explorer program, played high school sports and was involved in band and drama class. He graduated from Walla Walla Community College with a degree in irrigation technology.
Stuart married his high school sweetheart, Laurie Groom, on Aug. 29, 1981. They moved to Touchet in 1983 when Stuart began working for Gardena Farms Irrigation District #13, where he was employed until the time of his death.
Stuart and Laurie raised their three daughters in Touchet, where Stuart was very active in the volunteer fire department and emergency services. At the time of his death, Stuart was serving as a fire commissioner with Walla Walla County Fire District #6.
Stuart had a passion for people, and served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Touchet for 29 years. He was one of the first three EMTs to serve the Touchet area. Stuart was also active in the Touchet Lions Club, where he served as secretary for many years. He also served on the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board and was on the board of directors for the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council.
Stuart’s passion for people was especially evident when he talked about his children and grandchildren. Stuart and Laurie enjoyed following their children in their various school and 4-H activities as they grew up. He loved spending time with family and friends, and was the example of a true friend. Stuart enjoyed hunting, taking drives in the mountains, going to the beach and visiting the family cabin outside Dayton.
Stuart’s love for others was a direct reflection of his relationship with God. He lived by Christ’s example and was a servant to those in need.
During the last several years, Stuart cherished quality time with his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed becoming a grandpa and treasured his time with each of his grandchildren.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Helen Durfee. He is survived by his sister, Teri Durfee (Jeff) of Milton-Freewater; his brother, Jess (Gina) of Albany Ore.; his wife, Laurie Durfee of Touchet; and three daughters, Ashley Carlisle (Nathan) of West Richland, Kylie Flowers (Eric) of Walla Walla and Natalie Snodgrass (Scott) of Boise; as well as his grandchildren, Cadence, Piper and Harper Carlisle, Mila, Coby and Clayton Flowers, and Huxley Snodgrass; his in-laws, Bud and Marilyn Groom of Dayton.
A celebration of life for Stuart will be held at the Touchet Fire Station on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 9 am. The graveside service will be held at the Dayton City Cemetery at 1 p.m. that day.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Touchet Educational Foundation in the Helen & Elbert Durfee fund through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Stuart was born on Jan. 8, 1962, in Dayton to Elbert and Helen Durfee. He attended Dayton schools from kindergarten through his high school graduation in 1980. He was in the Boy Scouts and the Explorer program, played high school sports and was involved in band and drama class. He graduated from Walla Walla Community College with a degree in irrigation technology.
Stuart married his high school sweetheart, Laurie Groom, on Aug. 29, 1981. They moved to Touchet in 1983 when Stuart began working for Gardena Farms Irrigation District #13, where he was employed until the time of his death.
Stuart and Laurie raised their three daughters in Touchet, where Stuart was very active in the volunteer fire department and emergency services. At the time of his death, Stuart was serving as a fire commissioner with Walla Walla County Fire District #6.
Stuart had a passion for people, and served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Touchet for 29 years. He was one of the first three EMTs to serve the Touchet area. Stuart was also active in the Touchet Lions Club, where he served as secretary for many years. He also served on the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board and was on the board of directors for the Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council.
Stuart’s passion for people was especially evident when he talked about his children and grandchildren. Stuart and Laurie enjoyed following their children in their various school and 4-H activities as they grew up. He loved spending time with family and friends, and was the example of a true friend. Stuart enjoyed hunting, taking drives in the mountains, going to the beach and visiting the family cabin outside Dayton.
Stuart’s love for others was a direct reflection of his relationship with God. He lived by Christ’s example and was a servant to those in need.
During the last several years, Stuart cherished quality time with his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed becoming a grandpa and treasured his time with each of his grandchildren.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Helen Durfee. He is survived by his sister, Teri Durfee (Jeff) of Milton-Freewater; his brother, Jess (Gina) of Albany Ore.; his wife, Laurie Durfee of Touchet; and three daughters, Ashley Carlisle (Nathan) of West Richland, Kylie Flowers (Eric) of Walla Walla and Natalie Snodgrass (Scott) of Boise; as well as his grandchildren, Cadence, Piper and Harper Carlisle, Mila, Coby and Clayton Flowers, and Huxley Snodgrass; his in-laws, Bud and Marilyn Groom of Dayton.
A celebration of life for Stuart will be held at the Touchet Fire Station on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 9 am. The graveside service will be held at the Dayton City Cemetery at 1 p.m. that day.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Touchet Educational Foundation in the Helen & Elbert Durfee fund through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
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