Ronald Alfred Durling

1937 - 2011
Ronald Alfred Durling, 74, of Longview, WA passed away September 21, 2011 at Our Place Adult Family Home in Longview.
He was born August 11, 1937 in McCloud, CA to William J. and Alda L Durling. He grew up in Dunsmuir, CA and in 1954 at the age of 17 joined the Navy. He spent the next years traveling the world and after a whirlwind courtship, on August 5, 1961 he married Donna J. Wells. Together they spent the first two and a half years on an extended honeymoon while stationed in Japan.
In 1964 they moved back to Redding, CA where Ron went to work for Kimberly Clark Paper Company in Anderson, CA and began raising a family. In 1979 he moved his family to Longview to become one of the original start up crew for Norpac. He spent 21 years at Norpac before retiring in 2000.
Ron was happiest on Lake Shasta driving his boat with the wind in his face. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and puttering in his shop. He was known to be spontaneous and pile the whole family in the car for an unexpected road trip with no known destination. He also liked to tell stories of his Navy adventures and all the places he was able to visit. He enjoyed gardening and he always had a good joke handy. He loved his family and was most proud of his four grandchildren.
He is survived by Donna, his wife of 50 years, two daughters Lisa Durling (Skip) and Gayle Bryant (Chris) both of Longview. Also surviving are four grandchildren; Elijah Bryant, Allegra Bryant, Malachi Bryant and Gabriel Bryant; a nephew Michael Holland in Sonoma, CA and niece Linda Brees in Santa Rosa, CA
At request no service is being held. Arrangements are being handled by Steele Chapel and internment will be at Lawncrest Memorial in Redding, CA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.