Oct. 12, 1943-Sept. 24, 2007
Donald L. Dundon, 63, died at his home in Cascadia on Sept. 24, 2007. His death came at the end of a long illness, which originally occurred in 1964 while he was in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Dundon was born Oct. 12, 1943 at the old Lebanon Hospital, now the library. His father and mother were both born in Cascadia. His grandparents were Oregon pioneers of 1864.
One great-grandfather was a full-blooded Cherokee andanother great-great-grandfather was the boxer, John L. Sullivan. A great-great grand uncle was Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Mr. Dundon joined the Navy after graduating from Sweet Home Union High School in 1961 and earned an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for involvement in the Cuban Crisis. He later received a second Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in China. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Metal, Bronze Star, Honorary China Bombardment Medal issued in 2007 and the R.O.C. Defense Badge.
While working for machine shops in the Willamette Valley he improved existing machines and invented many devices. While working for Western Irrigation of Eugene in the early 1970s, he developed the improved “surge valve” used by the irrigation industry worldwide. Mr. Dundon, who never patented any of his inventions, was most proud of the surge valve, as it has saved many billions of gallons of water. He said that invention paid for his time on this earth.
With his brother, Terry Dean Dundon, he was co-owner of Dundon Brothers Logging, and he once owned the Metolious Fly Shop.
He was a member of the Sweet Home American Legion, the Spokane Portland and Seattle Historical Society and a baptized member of the Church of God.
He spent all his life in Cascadia and the Willamette Valley except for one extended trip to Israel and New England. He worked as a logger, equipment operator, machinist, draftsman, trout fly tyer (he would tie a fly to match what was hatching) and was a published poet.
His hobbies included fly fishing, hunting, canoeing, writing short stores, religious history and model railroading.
Mr. Dundon is survived by his daughter, Darcie Miller of Brownsville; sons Rexford L. and John William-Buchanan Dundon, both of Cascadia; one grandson; a brother and sister, Terry Dundon and Linda Stiver; and a nephew and niece.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rexford Lee Dundon (1994), mother Cora Edna Buchanan Dundon (1998) and brother Eugene Allen Dundon (1945).
A graveside service was held Sept. 29 at Gilliland Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Beverly Putney
Nov. 11, 1933-Sept. 18, 2007
Beverly Jane Putney, 73, of Springfield died on Sept. 18, 2007 of heart failure.
She was born on Nov. 11, 1933 in Velva, N.D., to Michael and Emma (Jensen) Byrnes.
She was a waitress and a homemaker.
She married Darrell Sydney Putney on May 14, 1951 in Vancouver, Wash. He preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1996.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy M. Oeming of Eugene; son, Mike L. Putney of Springfield; and one grandchild.
A funeral was held on Sept. 24 at the Major Family Funeral Home. Burial was at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home.
Memorial contributions may be given to Pearl Buck Center, 5100 W. Amazon Dr., Eugene, 97405.
The Major Family Funeral Home handled the arrangements.