Posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 12:00 am
Feb. 29, 1940 - June 25, 2008
Darrell Hutsell expired today at his home by the river, with his loved ones by his side. He succumbed to a number of organ failures due to complications of diabetes. We will all miss him and his love for trivia of all kinds (not just the game), his jokes, his love of good food and his love for us. We only had him for 68 years, but he left his mark on those years.
Darrell was born in Wallace, Idaho, to Lloyd Hutsell and Alberta N. Noxon Hutsell, where he resided until his family moved to Spokane, Wash., when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School 50 years ago and joined the U.S. Navy in 1960. He served on the USS Klondike and the USS Robison. He is a plank owner of the Robison, as he was on the ship when she was commissioned in Boston 1961.
While on leave from the Navy, he met Leota Dickason of Hoskins. After six months, they were married at the Los Angeles County Courthouse on March 31, 1962. Three children were born of this marriage, Darren L. and his wife Jennifer of Philomath, Dean Gary of Sheridan and Darlee J. Peterson of Lebanon. Grandchildren include Darrell Daniel Bass of Corvallis, Angel Hutsell of Corvallis and Hayden Parker Hutsell and his mother, Cindi, of Philomath. Darrell also has a daughter, Erin Augustson, and her son Thadeus of Chugiak, Alaska. He was a good grandpa.
Darrell lived in the Willamette Valley for more than 40 years, with his wife and family. He worked for several employers over the years but primarily for Hoskins Lumber Company and custodial services for various contractors at Oregon State University.
He was active in the community for many of those years. He coached women's softball and Park and Recreation flag football and spent several years on the Community Consortium Board, just retiring recently.
He was a very active past member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No.1411. He took pride in the many charitable things that he helped with while being a member of the Lodge. He was very active in the Men's Ritual Team and how well they did in statewide and national competition. He won several trophies as part of the team and individually. Regretfully, declining health and family needs compelled him to resign.
Darrell loved many things about the valley, including hunting, fishing, rockhounding, beachcombing, walking the country roads with his dog, Grizz, and talking to his neighbors. His indoor loves were family, collecting copper teakettles, collecting old books, playing pool (he was good and has the trophies to prove it) and last but not least he loved the gang that he met on the E-Bay Café, and spent many happy hours "chatting." He loved to travel and went to other states to meet some of the members at Café get-togethers.
Darrell was preceded in death by his brother Dwayne 'Dusty' Hutsell of Spokane, Wash., Gary Hutsell of Tigard and both parents.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years; his children and grandchildren; his younger brother Michael Hutsell and his wife, Janet, and their family, of Spokane, Wash.; his cousins Cliff Noxon Jr. and Cheryl Noxon of the Portland area; and nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews from both Oregon and Washington.
His quiet spirit and love of laughter will be greatly missed.
Memorial donations can be directed to Heartland Humane Society in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330. There will be a memorial potluck gathering at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13 at Fort Hoskins Park on Hoskins Rd., Hoskins. Online condolences may be sent to the family via: www.mchenryfuneral home.com