Nov. 13, 1925 — March 3, 2003

Robert Edgar Durfee of Albany, formerly of Kings Valley, died Monday at his home. He was 77.

He was born in Fenton, Mich., to Edgar and Leona Warren Durfee. He moved to Oregon at the age of 9 months and lived in the Kings Valley area. He later lived in Dallas and Jefferson before moving to Albany.

He served in the Navy during World War II aboard the USS Kalinan Bay and the USS Tamalpais and was awarded a Purple Heart. He worked as a logger and mill worker. He retired from NW Natural Gas after working there for several years.

He married Celestia Walling during the mid-1940s. They later divorced. He married Oda M. Griffith June 28, 1991, in Albany.

He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Eagles lodge. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and dancing.

Survivors include his wife; sons, Larry of Roseburg and Dennis of Albany; daughter, Christine Durfee of Reno, Nev.; brother, Fred Archer of Salem; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dale, and sisters, Maxine and Marjorie.

A service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Albany.

Memorial donations can be made to SafeHaven Humane Society in care of Fisher Funeral Home, P.O. Box 156, Albany, OR 97321.