Darrell Demory

Darrell Eugene Demory passed away after an extended illness on Sunday evening, May 14, 2017. He was at home with his wife of 61 years, Maxine. Darrell was born in Freewater, Oregon (now Milton-Freewater) on October 14, 1934, to Thelma and Charlie Demory. In 1955, Darrell and Maxine Lucille Hanley were married in South English, Iowa, and the two settled in Newton, Kansas, where he worked on a farm and then for the city of Newton water department. After their daughter Pamela was born in 1956, the young family moved back to Oregon, where Darrell continued his studies in fisheries management at Oregon State University. As a student, he spent summers doing stream surveys for the Oregon State Fish Commission, and after their son Mark was born in 1961, Darrell secured a fulltime position as a biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Astoria, Oregon, and then in 1970, transferred to the Newport office. In his 31 years with Oregon Fish and Wildlife, Darrell managed the fisheries for razor clams, oysters, Dungeness crab, mussels, and clams along the entire Oregon coast. He was active in the Christian Church in both Astoria and Newport, serving as an elder and in other leadership positions. He enjoyed telling stories, playing with his cats, entertaining grandchildren Erin and Zach, renovating the house, and landscaping, and could often be found puttering in his shop, creating imaginative art objects from wood and metal. In 1989 Darrell and Maxine bought land in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. There he designed and built a cabin where they spent their summers-and occasional snowy winters-for nearly 20 years. Darrell is survived by his wife, Maxine; brother Robert (wife, Muril); daughter Pam (husband Kent Darnielle); son Mark (wife Stacy Pambrun); and grandchildren Erin and Zachary. His creative imagination, infectious laugh, and great heart will be missed. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 19, at Newport Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Newport Christian Church, Holt International, or Samaritan Pacific Hospice.

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Darrell Demory

October 14, 1934 - May 14, 2017