Douglas Edwin Honeyford

Douglas Edwin Honeyford

Douglas Edwin Honeyford, 74, Garden Grove, CA (formerly of Olympia, WA) passed away in the family home November 18, 2009 from complications of Multiple System Atrophy.
Doug was born in Seattle, WA in 1935 to the Rev. C. Douglas Honeyford and Ruth (Secrest) Honeyford. He grew up in Ontario, Oregon where his father pastored the First Baptist Church. Doug played football and excelled in tennis at Ontario High School, graduating in 1953. He continued his academic career at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, and graduated Central Washington State College with a B.A. in Chemistry, 1961 and in Education, 1962. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve.
Doug began his professional career as a junior-high science teacher in Benton City, WA. He continued to pursue his love of chemistry working at General Electric/Hanford, Richland, WA. He then worked for Reichhold Chemicals, Tacoma, WA for seven years. The highlight of his career was wood product research and development for Simpson Timber Company, where he worked for 30 years, retiring in 2003. Because he was highly respected for his breadth of knowledge and willingness to mentor others, Doug's colleagues endearingly referred to him as "Yoda."
On New Year's Eve 1968, Doug married Zella. They lived in Tacoma and Redmond WA, eventually making their home on Totten Inlet in the Steamboat Island area of Olympia. They were members of St. Christopher's Community Church. After retiring, Doug and Zella relocated to Garden Grove to be near their children and grandchildren.
Wherever he lived, Doug enjoyed working out at the local health club. He was an avid newspaper reader, and looked forward to reading the sports page daily. Ever an armchair sports fan, Doug was an avid football, baseball, basketball, tennis and boxing fan. Most recently, he cheered on the LA Angels of Anaheim. He loved the challenge of a good poker game and enjoyed televised tournament poker.
Doug was a true gentleman, always kind to others and gentle in the way he spoke to people. He was a very giving and loving family man and father, devoted to his wife, children, and extended family, including his beloved Afghan hounds, Junior and Girl.
Doug is survived by his wife, Zella, Garden Grove; brother, Senator Jim Honeyford (Jerri), Sunnyside, WA; two sons, Douglas A. Honeyford, Reno, NV, Paul Honeyford MacGregor (Katy), Ladera Ranch, CA; five daughters, Diana Purser (Rich), Hillsboro, OR, Pamela Martin (Bill), Marietta, GA, Denise Honeyford, Wenatchee, WA, Lisa Dickus (Steven) Coto de Caza, CA, and Sunny Lasiter (Mark), Newport Beach, CA. Doug was blessed to have eleven grandchildren, Ellie MacGregor, Gavin MacGregor, Nicholas Roberts, Katherine Purser, Yuri Purser, Nathan King, Megan King, Nicole Clark, Sara Clark, Tiffany Dickus, Blake Dickus; and one great-granddaughter, Stella Franks. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Dorothy Honeyford.
A private burial service was held at Claquato Cemetery, Chehalis, WA. A memorial service for Doug will be held at St. Christopher's Community Church in Olympia at a later date.
Family suggests donations may be made to the SDS/MSA Support Group, P. O. Box 279, Coupland, TX, 78615, or to a favorite charity.