Obituary: Donald Thomas McDermott, Jr., 70, Murdock

Donald Thomas McDermott, Jr.

Donald Thomas McDermott, Jr., 70, of Murdock, Washington, crossed the silver glass on May 15, 2023. He withstood cancer for two years and defeated it by crossing at home, listening to poetry read by his wife and son.

Born on May 7th, 1953, in Winchester, Massachusetts, he was the son of Mary and Donald T. McDermott, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Delano, who said “I do” on the shores of Little Pleasant Bay in 1989. His aunt, Barbara, his stepmother JoAnne, his siblings, David and Anne Marie, their children, and his son Connor also celebrate his memory.

Don, or “McD” as he was affectionately known, loved the Columbia River Gorge. In summer, you could find him sailing or kitesurfing until sunset, coming in off the river with a gleaming grin just as the light dipped below the hills. In winter, he would be up in those same hills, skiing down the slopes and grabbing a quick peanut butter sandwich—on his classic homemade bread—before hitting the slopes again.

In the shadow of the Columbia’s basalt cliffs, he and Sarah put down roots, and together carved Scorched Earth Vineyards out of the desert. They were active members of the Columbia Gorge Winegrower’s Association, which grew this region into a full-blown American Viticultural Area.

Although multi-talented, Don’s final career was as a real estate agent. He specialized in large parcels and loved hiking property lines with the many bird dogs he raised and trained. As part of this work, he brokered deals that helped many local businesses bloom.

Don was also a public servant. As president of the Dallesport-Murdock Community Council, he stood up for the people whenever they needed a voice and worked late into the night researching and debating the best pathways for his community.

Don McDermott was a scholar, a hooligan, and a daring dreamer.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Don’s memory to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The family will be hosting a traditional Irish Wake on March 17, 2024, time and place to be determined. Please come and celebrate McD with us.

Kindly RSVP to mcdswake@gmail.com mcdswake@gmail.com

Death Notice: Michael Woodside, 80, The Dalles

Michael Woodside passed away on January 23, 2024, at home in The Dalles, Oregon. Michael was born October 10, 1943, 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: Carole Laughlin, Hood River

Carole Laughlin passed away on January 21, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon. Carol was born on December 9, 1947, and was 76 years of age at the time of her 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: Craig Wilbur Stiff, 74, The Dalles

Craig Wilbur Stiff, age 74, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 12th, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Piper Dell Frakes, 66, The Dalles

Piper Dell Frakes, age 66, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 23rd, 2024. Interment and Celebration of Life will be held in February.

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

Obituary: Russell Ray Collie, 57, Hood River

Russell Ray Collie, age 57, passed away in his Hood River home on December 9, 2023. Russ was born in Hood River, Oregon on March 6, 1966, to Colonel Collie and Nancy (Ward) Steele.  

As a youngster, Russ enjoyed cars and airplane models. He loved spending 􀆟me with his grandfather, Maynard Ward, who introduced him to the exciting world of electronics. It wasn’t long before Russ received his Ham Radio License and was talking to people all over the world! Russ was also a talented musician and enjoyed jamming on the piano and guitar.  

During Russ’s adolescent years, he began playing team sports. Russ excelled in basketball, football and track. Russ even performed as Danny Zuko in the High School Drama Play “Grease” which was a huge success. He had an intelligent mind and was quite accomplished in academics. Russ loved the outdoors; during summer breaks he worked as a white-water rafting guide in White Salmon and a deckhand at Lost Lake where he met his true love Raelynn (Smith) Collie.  

Following High School, Russ pursued his passion for electronics, eventually graduating from the Oregon Institute of Technology. Then Russ and Raelynn were married and went on to build a beautiful family together. Russ enjoyed family immensely. He especially enjoyed long summer camping trips up at Lost Lake where they would meet up with extended family, swim, go fishing, build campfires, and make lifelong memories. Russ and his family resided in the Portland area for many years. He was employed as a senior engineer for Vidco of Beaverton, designing equipment for the medical field, for over 25 years and would often be seen pulling into work on his motorcycle; another fun hobby of his.  

Russ was preceded in death by his daughter, Emma Collie, and his mother, Nancy (Ward) Steele. He is survived by his children Taylor, Ella, and Trenton Collie; his grandsons Levi Collie, August Martinez V, and Maze Martinez; his father, Colonel Collie, and stepmother, Tina Collie; his sister, Annette Collie and two nieces, Nicole (Herman) Phelps and Jessica (Herman) Linton, in addition to numerous well-loved relatives, in-laws and friends.  

Russ truly enjoyed visiting with people, and he had a big heart! May he rest in peace.  

A celebration of life for Russ will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Tucker Road Baptist Church (1455 Tucker Rd, Hood River, OR 97031). 

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

Death Notice: Patricia Mae Gow, 85, Goldendale

Patricia Mae Gow, age 85, a resident of Goldendale, WA, passed away on January 12th, 2024.

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

Death Notice: Jean Clark, 68, The Dalles

Jean Clark, age 68, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 21st, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of her arrangements.

Death Notice: Carol Ann Berry, 72, Hood River

Carol Ann Berry passed away on January 19, 2024, at home in Hood River, Oregon. Carol was born October 18, 1951, and was 72 years of age at the time of passing.   

Services are planned for Carol as follows;  

A time to visit with family, view and watch a special tribute video created by family  

10:00 a.m. to noon Friday, February 2, 2024 at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.    

Graveside Committal  

2:00 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2024, at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. 

Death Notice: Raymond Fred Felton, 66, The Dalles

Raymond Fred Felton, age 66, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 16th, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell is in care of his arrangements.

Death Notice: Miranda “Mandy” Archer, 36, Goldendale

Miranda “Mandy” Archer of Goldendale, Washington passed away tragically on January 6, 2024 in a car accident in Hood River, Oregon. Mandy was born August 22, 1987 and was only 36 years of age at the time of passing.

Mandy’s passing leaves much heartache with family, gifts to assist family can be made at this gofundme.

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: Jeffrey Mark Clark, 75, The Dalles

Jeffrey Mark Clark, age 75, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 12, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Homeis in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: Guy Tillman Morris, 90, The Dalles

Guy Tillman Morris, age 90, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away January 15th, 2024.

Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home are in care of his arrangements.  

Death Notice: Sharron Lee Green, 79, The Dalles

Sharron Lee Green, age 79, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 11th, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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

Death Notice: Louis “Butch” Mohr, 65, Hood River

Louis “Butch” Mohr passed away on January 10, 2024, at Columbia Basin Care Facility in The Dalles, Oregon. Butch was born on February 12, 1958, in Hood River, Oregon, and was 65 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: Christopher Todd McNeel, 61, The Dalles

Christopher Todd McNeel, age 61, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 11th, 2023.

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

Death Notice: Jane Louise McGee, 92, The Dalles

Jane Louise McGee, age 92, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 12th, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring.

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

Death Notices: Steven Howard Kirchgestner, 67, The Dalles; Golda Rae Johnson, 87, The Dalles

Steven Howard Kirchgestner, age 67, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 9, 2024. The family is planning a memorial service at a later date. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Golda Rae Johnson, age 87, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 7, 2024. Spencer, Libby & Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

Death Notice: John Centner Huteson, 76, The Dalles

John Centner Huteson, age 76, a resident of The Dalles, OR, passed away on January 5th, 2024. A family-directed Celebration of Life will be held at The Dalles Eagles on January 27th, 2024 at 3:00 pm.

Spencer, Libby & Powell are in the care of his arrangements.

Death Notice: Kent Fred Kammenzind, 71, Goldendale

Kent Fred Kammenzind, age 71, a resident of Goldendale, WA, passed away on January 8, 2024.

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