Obituary: Donald Ray Durr, Hood River

Donald Ray Durr

Donald Ray Durr or Don passed away on July 1st, 2022, at St. Vincent's Providence Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Don was born June 30th, 1946 in Hood River, Oregon to Dutch and Virginia (Kile) Durr joining his brothers Tommy, Charles, and his sisters Carol and Ann.  

Don was raised in Parkdale, Oregon.  He attended schools in Parkdale and graduated from Wy'East High School in 1965. Don married his High School sweetheart Kathy Rath shortly after. Don and Kathy were blessed with three children Richard, Janet, and Tracy. Don and Kathy both were delivered by Dr. Edmondson who also delivered their children!

While Don was a senior in High School, he replaced an engine in Kathy's dad's (Raymond Rath) garbage truck. Don won the hearts (replacing the engine in the garbage truck) of the Rath's and was welcomed into their family. Kathy's parents Ray and Theresa Rath owned the Hood River Garbage Service and Don and his brother-in-law (John Rath) bought the business. Don and John managed the Hood River Garbage Service for over 30 years, which included an expansion of services to the whole Hood River County. Don and John sold the business in 2001and both retired.  

Don and Kathy took their family every year to Wallowa Lake in Eastern OR, andalso to Devil's Lake in Lincoln City OR. Don and Kathy continued the tradition with their grandkids and great grandkids.  Don was ready for Wallowa Lake this year and in the hospital would talk about going to the lake with family. Don and Kathy enjoyed going toLincoln City and taking the family. Don enjoyed the outdoors with getting splitting and stacking wood, also fishing, hunting, camping, boating, and golfing. Don would hook the fish and release them for he did not want to eat the fish and/or have the fish smell in the air/home. Don would also treat others with his fish.

Don hunted with his brother in-laws and family. Don would play Neil Diamond on 8-track tapes. After retiring Don did woodworking, making dressers, coffee tables, and cabinets for family. Don had a 1965 Stingray, hardtop, black Corvette, and he loved that car. Later after retiring Don started buying old cars and restoring them. 

Don collected 7 vehicles with his favorite the 57' Chevy, purple with flames and a killer exhaust system. Don would complain about working on his vehicles and how old he was but when he got in to take them for a drive he was a 16 years young (wild) man.

Don was a member of the Hood River Fire Dept. and Westside Fire Dept. both for 20 years. Don coached Little League Baseball and softball for years. Don was also a member of the Hood River Elks for 54 years being a Trustee 3 times, the Elk of the Year, and held several other offices. Don was the Serving Crew Chairman for 25 years for the Elks Lodge. Don was a regular patron Wednesdays for playing poker with his fellow Elk brothers.

Don furthermore spent several years volunteering at Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River. Don restored the old Drive-In theater sign and placed it at the entrance to WAAAM.   

Don enjoyed his family, seven grandchildren Alyssa, Ethan and Rachael Durr, David Curl, James Schultz, Brady and Trevor Johnson. and his three great-grandchildren Aurora, Lucca, and Ashton.  Don was preceded in death by his mother, father, Grandmother Tweety and brother Charles.  He is survived by his wife Kathy, Son Richard (Jill), Daughter Janet (Joe), daughter Tracy (Brian), 7 grandkids and 3 great-grandkids. 

Services for Don are as follows; 

VIEWING & VISITATION 

3:OO p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursday, July 7th at Anderson’s Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.   

FUNERAL & RECEPTION 

11:00 a.m., Friday, July 8th at Anderson’s Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.   

GRAVESIDE VAULT COMMITTAL 

1:00 p.m., Friday, July 8th at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery • 1235 Tucker Road, Hood River, Oregon 97031.   

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.  

Memorials are encouraged to be made in Don's name to the Hood River Elks Lodge Christmas Basket Program.