Obituary: Forest Glen “Frosty” Durland, 95, Hood River

Forest Glen “Frosty” Durland was born in Hood River, Oregon on May 9, 1928. He passed away peacefully at home on September 18th, 2023 in Albany, Oregon while listening to piano music.  

Below is a special life story prepared by his family. 

“He was the 4th of 8 children born to William “Pop” Durland and Ruth “Grumpy” Weitman Durland and was the first of their children to be born in Hood River.

They were a lively, musical family. His mother taught all the children to play the piano. He wrote his first song at about age 7. He continued to compose, arrange, and perform music for the rest of his life. He played in various bands, including the Let's Dance Band in Reno as well as performing solo. 

When his younger brother Gaylord was in high school, Forest wrote a song that they performed at the Oregon State Fair. Forest played the piano and Gaylord played the trumpet. They won second place. 

He played piano at Reno casinos and assisted living lounges until the age of 95. He liked to see people happy which made him happy. 

He enjoyed a close friendship with his housemates and property manager in Sun Valley, Nevada, as well as his musical buddies in the Reno area. He returned home to Oregon for the last two and a half months of his life and relished reconnecting with family. 

He loved growing up in Hood River. It remained his favorite place as it had nice mountains and lakes, and held lots of fond memories of his close-knit family and the music they made together. Money was tight during the Depression years but they survived with a garden, fruit from the orchards, fishing, and hunting. At age 6, in 1934, his Dad took him to the train depot where they saw President Franklin D. Roosevelt passing through on a train. They waved and he waved back. Later, he worked briefly on The Dalles Dam with his brother Wes. 

Forest graduated from Hood River High School in 1947. During high school, he played in a band that needed a piano player and made $15 a night. In his senior year, he was selected for the all-state band and played in a concert in Seattle. 

The whole family was active in the Asbury First Methodist Church where his father was a youth leader. Forest would later play to accompany the service. 

Forest served in the army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, and at Camp Roberts, California. While in the Army Band Corp at Camp Roberts, he played the piano for actress and singer Debbie Reynolds while she performed for the troops. He cherished his signed autograph from her and proudly displayed it in the barracks. 

He obtained his BA degree in Music from the University of Oregon in 1955 and went on to become a teacher. While a student there, Forest entered a contest to write music for a poem. He wrote four melodies. His nice ballad won first place and the others won honorable mentions. They were played on the radio. 

He married Claire Corwin of Hood River in 1957. They would later divorce. They had three children: Craig, Darcy, and Cristy. The entire family's initials were in the musical alphabet. 

Forest obtained his Master of Arts degree in Music from San Jose State College in 1961. In the summer of 1962, he was the musical director for four shows that included movie stars June Havoc, Joe E. Brown, and Jack Kelly. Allen Jenkins, and Ruth Crews.

He belonged to numerous musical organizations including Sinfonia Fraternity, Songwriters Guild of America, National Association of Orchestra Leaders, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. 

His hobbies included photography, traveling, hiking, shooting, camping, and the outdoors. He loved family reunions with the campfires and music. He loved composing music and playing the piano, which was his favorite thing to do. 

Forest was preceded in death by his parents William and Ruth, brothers Wesley, Donald, Stanley, and Joseph, sister Ruth Anne, niece Pamela, and nephew Eddie Joe. 

He is survived by sister June and brother Gaylord; sister-in-laws Mae and Lorene; children Craig, Darcy, and Cristy; grandchildren Ross, Nash, Nikki (John), and Ethan (Kelsi); and great-grandchildren Alex, Jasmyn, Kurt, Jasper, Zerakai, Adaleeya, Linkin, and Bellamy. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

A special thank you to friends and family for their love and support; his doctor and the Salem VA Clinic, Amedisys Home Health Care, and Evergreen Hospice for their care and support. 

He gave us all the gift of his music.” 

Services to honor and celebrate Forest are planned for 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 20th, 2023 at Anderson’s Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  A graveside committal service will follow at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon. 

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

Death Notice: Gereld Glen Lee, 75, Dallesport

Gereld Glen Lee, age 75, a resident of Dallesport, WA, passed away on September 20th, 2023.

A family gathering will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.   

Death Notice: James Frederick Sprouse, 69, The Dalles

 James Frederick Sprouse, age 69, a resident of Tygh Valley, OR, passed away on September 19th, 2023.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Eleanor Jean Delzer, 97, The Dalles

Eleanor Jean Delzer, age 97, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 24th, 2023.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.  

Death Notice: Austin Michael Greene, 22, The Dalles

Austin Michael Greene, age 22, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 22, 2023. A Gathering will be held at Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home in The Dalles, OR, on September 30th, 2023 at 4:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Peter Frank Snyder, 80, Hood River

Peter Frank Snyder passed away on September 19th, 2023 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon.  Peter was born on October 28th, 1942 and was 80 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Death Notice: Verna Jean Gove, 91, The Dalles

Verna Jean Gove passed away on September 20th, 2023 at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital in Hood River, Oregon.  Verna was born March 11th, 1932, and was 91 years of age at the time of passing.  

A memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 21st, 2023 at Bethany Lutheran Church (2323 E 12th St, The Dalles, OR 97058). 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Death Notice: Leona Helen Voeller, 90, The Dalles

 Leona Helen Voeller, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 9th, 2023.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of her arrangements.

Death Notice: Etta Mae Haynes, 94, The Dalles

Etta Mae Haynes, age 94, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 20th, 2023.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.  

Death Notice: Scott Allen Bastin, 60, Los Angeles, CA

Scott Allen Bastin, age 60, a resident of Los Angeles, CA, passed away on September 14th, 2023.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Grace Maxine Lutz, 102, Hood River

Grace Maxine Lutz passed away on September 21st, 2023 at Providence Brookside Manor in Hood River, Oregon.  Grace was born on February 12th, 1921, and was 102 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Death Notice: Jerry House, 56, Hood River

Jerry House passed away on September 17th, 2023 at his home in Hood River, Oregon.  Jerry was born July 14th, 1967, and was 56 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Obituary: Matthew “Matt” Grier, 41, The Dalles

Matthew “Matt” Grier passed away September 12th, 2023 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon. Matt was born on January 4th, 1982, and was 41 years of age at the time of passing.

Matt was born and raised in The Dalles, Oregon, and that is where he built his family.

Matt is now in Heaven beside his father Micheal Grier, his mother Linda Grier, his grandma Lilly and many other loved family members. Matt will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 13 years Kayla Grier, his oldest daughter Kaelee Grier, her fiancé David Conley, and his four other children Johnmichael, Lillyanna, Jenson, and Layke Grier. He is also survived by his sister Rebekah Grier and her husband Shaun Griffin who misses him already. He will also be missed dearly by his sidekick dog Belle, and other friends and family who loved him.

For most of Matt’s life, he worked as a mechanic, eventually owning his own shop. He loved riding dirt bikes, building and playing with RC cars, spending time gardening, and many other outdoor activities. Matt loved spending any time he could with his children, especially riding around in his bobcat with Jenson, playing in the creek with Johnmicheal, watching Lilly ride a dirt bike for the first time, cuddling with Layke watching Paw Patrol, and spending time with his road dog Kaelee.

The viewing for Matt will be held on Wednesday, September 20th at Andersons Tribute Center located at 204 East 4th Street in The Dalles, Oregon from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for close friends and family. A celebration of life will be held in the future, but the date, time, and location have not been decided upon; details will be announced by his wife Kayla Grier.

Any condolences, flowers, or financial help can be directed to Matt’s wife Kayla Grier, or his oldest daughter Kaelee Grier. Please help in keeping Matt’s memory alive by sharing memories of him on Facebook, and telling any stories you have of him to his wife and children. Matt will be greatly missed, and his memory will live on in so many people.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.

Obituary: Nathan "Nate" Ernest Arthur, 89, Hood River

Hood River, OR. September 19, 2023 - Nathan "Nate" Ernest Arthur passed away peacefully in his home with loving family by his side on September 14, 2023, at the age of 89.  He was born to Ernest "Erb" and Grace (Burnett) Arthur on April 8, 1934, in Brownsville, Texas. 

            Nate moved to Hood River in 1944 with his family which included his three brothers and one sister. He attended Odell Grade School and graduated from Wy'east High, where the friends he made there remained his close friends throughout his life. He loved sports and excelled in baseball and in later years was an avid handball player.  He enjoyed playing poker, watching sports, especially Nascar, watching old westerns and "The Three Stooges". He liked motorcycles, camping, and driving in the mountains with his family and friends, and was a long-time member of The Elk's and Eagle's Clubs.  

            Nate married Bernice Heaton in 1953 and together they raised five children.  He was a hardworking man, supporting his family as a service station owner and mechanic, chip truck driver, and heavy equipment operator in the construction of The Dalles and Bonneville Dams. 

            Nate was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his beloved son Ronald, "Bud", and son-in-law, Randy Bell.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Bernice "Bitsy",  daughters; Peggy Arthur and partner Mike May;  Susie Bell;  Karen Timm (Dwight); Lori Fortune (Gene); five grandchildren, Becky, Michele, Megan, Andrew, and Kelli, nine great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. 

            Nate was a generous man, humble and kind with a gentle soul.  He kept those he loved entertained with his humor and silly songs. He filled our hearts with love and gave us cherished memories that we will hold dear forever. 

            A "Celebration of Life" will be held for Nate on Saturday, September 30th at 11:00 at the Wy'east  Fairgrounds  Community Building.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Laurence “Larry" L. Taylor III, 81, The Dalles

Laurence “Larry” L. Taylor III passed away on September 17, 2023, at Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, Oregon.  Larry was born July 7, 1942, and was 81 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Death Notice: Susan Ann Lewallen, 85, The Dalles

Susan Ann Lewallen, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 16th, 2023. She will be Buried at Willamette National Cemetery.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Betty Jean Wolfe, 88, The Dalles

Betty Jean Wolfe, age 88, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away September 9th, 2023. A Graveside Service will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery on 18th St in The Dalles, OR, on September 23rd, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.  

Death Notice: Joanne Ethel Smith, 85, The Dalles

Joanne Ethel Smith, age 85, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on September 12, 2023.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Matthew “Matt” Grier 41, The Dalles

Matthew “Matt” Grier passed away on September 12th, 2023 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon.  Matthew was born January 4, 1982, and was 41 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Death Notice: Marjorie Louise Routson, 96, Hood River

Marjorie Louise Routson passed away on September 10, 2023, at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living in Hood River, Oregon.  Marjorie was born January 3, 1927 and was 96 years of age at the time of passing. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.  Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.