Wayne Deardorff

Wayne L. Deardorff, age 94, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. He was born in Deaconess Hospital on March 16, 1930, to Noble E. and Ethel N. (Buntain) Deardorff in Wenatchee, Washington, the last of four children. As a third-generation resident, he lived all but one year of his life in the Wenatchee Valley. He attended Sunnyslope Elementary School through 8th Grade and graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1948. Wayne’s early days were spent exploring the hills and trails of Burch Mountain near the family home in Sunnyslope with his brother, sisters, and many life-long childhood friends. The son of a Pastor and orchardist, he was raised during the Depression years and learned many life skills from his parents including hunting, fishing, and the value of a dollar. During his youth, he had a black and white dog named Shep, he rode horses at his grandfather’s house where one of them bucked him off and knocked him out, and he was given the responsibility of taking care of the family’s calf. After high school, he made a road trip to his brother’s home in LaVerne, California to look for a job. Work was scarce in those days, so he later rode a Greyhound bus to Indiana to work in his sister and brother-in-law’s roofing business for a few months. When he returned to Wenatchee he was hired by the Chelan County PUD as a meter reader in 1949. He first worked out of the Leavenworth office, then in a substation in Wenatchee. He was transferred to Rock Island Dam. At that time he began electrical education courses. He then transferred to Rocky Reach Dam while it was still under construction, prior to the dam being in operation. Over a span of 33 years, he worked as a hydroelectric wireman advancing to the position of Plant Engineer at Rocky Reach Dam until his retirement in 1982. Wayne met the love of his life, Althe R. Myers, on September 9, 1949, at the roller skating rink. Althe winked at him, and less than two years later they were married at Ohme Gardens by Wayne’s father, the Reverend Noble E. Deardorff on June 16, 1951. Together they raised three daughters, Debbie, Diane, and Darcy. Sadly, Althe passed away in 2007. While raising their daughters, the family spent many wonderful vacations RV camping, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors together. Their trips included Canada and the Pacific Northwest, including Hood Canal, Ocean City, Deception Pass, Osooyos, Okanogan Valley and Beaver Lake. They also spent many memorable weekends at the family cabin on the Wenatchee River in Plain and later their cabin at Lake Wenatchee, often including extended family and many friends. Wayne also enjoyed learning to ski after he and Althe surprised their daughters with snow skis, and he spent several years on the slopes with his daughters and friends. He was an avid snowmobiler and a golfer in later years. He shared his passion for hunting with his brother, brother-in-law, and nephews, filling the freezer with venison almost every October. In retirement, Wayne and Althe enjoyed many outings with the River City Sams chapter of Good Sams RV groups and participated in many activities with these friends. Wayne was fortunate to have a large extended family that gathered together monthly for birthdays, holidays and other celebrations where they would sit around the kitchen table and play games and laugh until they cried, often staying up until after midnight. Wayne supported his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild by attending nearly all of their school programs, sporting events, ballet recitals, county fairs, dog shows, and concerts. Around 2008 Wayne became a member of the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center and spent many hours volunteering and socializing with friends. He met Laura Farmer at the Senior Center in 2013. He and Laura married on March 29, 2014 at the Church of God, Faith of Abraham in Wenatchee. They made their home in Wenatchee. Shortly after their marriage, they traveled by train to Minnesota and to Branson, Missouri. Later they went on a cruise to Alaska together. They were active at the Leavenworth Senior Center, and at the Wenatchee Senior Center where they were appointed King and Queen ambassadors in 2015. They made many friends along the way. They spent their time antiquing and going to estate sales and had a booth at the Antique Mall in Cashmere. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Althe R. Deardorff; his parents, Noble and Ethel Deardorff; his sister and brother-in-law Marian and Dean Gillin; his sister and brother-in-law Thelma and Dana Myer; and his brother Stan Deardorff. He is survived by his wife, Laura Deardorff; sister-in-law Martha Deardorff; his daughters, Debbie (Terry Fulton) Deardorff; Diane (Homer Ramirez) Deardorff-Ramirez; Darcy (Michael) Spurgeon; grandchildren Ryan Barton (Kaitlyn Youtz); Tyler Stevens; Chelsea (Stefen) Morris; step-grandson Travis Fulton; great-granddaughter Rosalynn Morris; and numerous nephews and nieces. The family wishes to thank the Hospice nurses and doctors, and Gerri Mathews of Heaven Sent Home Healthcare for their wonderful care of Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lighthouse Christian Ministries, 410 S. Columbia Street, Wenatchee WA 98801, or to the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center, 1312 Maple Street, WA 98801. Viewing will be Friday, May 17, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Chapel of the Valley Funeral Home, 378 Eastmont Ave, East Wenatchee, Washington. A Graveside will be Monday, May 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunnyslope Cemetery, 3330 School Street, Wenatchee. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Brethren-Baptist Church, 535 Okanogan Avenue, Wenatchee, with a reception following in the fellowship hall. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Wayne Deardorff

March 16, 1930 - May 7, 2024