Darrell F Boggess

Darrell Franklin Boggess, age 79, fell asleep in death on September 30, 2017, at his home in Hermiston, Oregon. His family was by his side after a brave and hard-fought battle with lung cancer.  He is sleeping peacefully now awaiting the Bible's promise of the resurrection. Almighty God did some of his best work when he brought this gentle/dependable man into the world. Darrell loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Darrell was born July 24, 1938, in Colville, Washington, to Phyllis and George Boggess. He was raised on a farm in Colville, Washington, where he learned to care for a variety of different farm animals, milk cows, cut firewood, bale hay and help harvest the different farm crops. He learned the value of hard work at a young age, but also how to have a good time. His unique sense of humor followed him throughout his life.  He was born a gifted sportsman and loved the endless outdoors of the Pacific Northwest hunting, fishing, motor bike riding, boating, swimming, and playing baseball. He loved to drive his 1958 Chevrolet Impala back 'in the day'.  His passions included working in his garden/yard where he did organic gardening.  In his later years he gave up hunting, but had a passion for target practicing, and was an avid reader - often reading four or more books simultaneously.  Fall was his favorite time of the year, and he especially enjoyed traveling during September/October months in order to enjoy the beauty of the wonderful Northwest Fall colors of the changing seasons.

Darrell married his High School Sweetheart, Jonene Anne Fair, and together they had two children, a daughter, Eileen Joi, and a son, Darrell Randall. He started his professional career as a surveyor for the U. S. Forest Service in Colville, Washington, in 1960. He transferred to the Bureau of Reclamation in 1961, moving the family to Spokane, Washington, when his little son was just 4 weeks old.  He spent summers working Per Diem with the Bureau of Reclamation, surveying the Columbia Basin and Walla Walla, Washington areas for upcoming Irrigation Installation, and attended Whitworth College during the school year as he pursued his Engineering Career.  A promotion back to the U. S. Forest Service in 1966 brought the family to Libby, Montana, where he worked in construction building Forest Service roads/bridges on the Kootenai National Forest.  He and Jonene built a lovely home on the banks of the Kootenai River in Libby, Montana, where they spent 16 years raising their family.  He started an Adult Baseball League between the U. S. Forest Service and the Corps of Engineers in Libby, and also coached Little League. He loved Montana fishing and hunting, and became a Master Fly Fisherman while living on the Kootenai River in Montana.  He transferred to the Corps of Engineers while in Libby, and worked on Libby Dam, but when the project was finished he accepted a Contract Specialist position in the Army Corps of Engineer's Regional Office in Anchorage, Alaska, on a 7 year contract.  In 1988 he moved the family to Salt Lake City, Utah, for yet another promotion/challenging job in Contract Specialist work. He especially enjoyed the beauty of Salt Lake City, during the next 16 years, where he pursued his love of gardening with a Showman Like Yard/Garden of wonderful fruit trees/many beautiful flowers/shrubs, as well as a Special Raised Bed Rose Garden with 12 to 15 lovely Tea Roses.  He retired from the Federal Government in 1993, whereby he/Jonene enjoyed several years of travelling, as they visited National Parks throughout the country, visiting 48 states, Mexico, and Canada; however, Maui was always their favorite vacation spot.  He and Jonene moved to Hermiston, Oregon, in 2002, in order to be closer to family, and enjoy a warmer climate in their retirement.

Darrell was preceded in death by his Parents; his beloved Grandparents, Alfred and Louise Droz; and Brothers, Donald and Richard. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jonene Anne, Hermiston, Oregon; daughter, Eileen Joi Eylar, Richland, Washington; son, Darrell Randall (Heather) Boggess, Chula Vista, California; Grandchildren, Darci Lynn (Scott) Love, Richland, Washington; Bryon Eylar, Richland, Washington; Amy Eylar, Richland, Washington; Matthew Eylar, Richland, Washington, and Kyland Boggess, Chula Vista, California; twelve Great Grandchildren; Sister, Marge Druffel, Pullman, Washington; Sisters-in-law, Janice Morgan, Richland, Washington; Alice (Bob) Versteeg, Richland, Washington; Brother-in-law, Ken (Ann) Lee, Winston Salem, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. He loved them all and will be missed by all.

The family would like to thank Vange John Memorial Hospice for the loving care they gave Darrell during the last few days of his life. It was his wish that there be no services.  The family invites you to sign their online tribute wall at www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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