Obituary of John A. Durrell

John A. "Jack" Durrell John A. "Jack" Durrell, beloved husband of Ann (Hazell) Durrell, of Olympia, Washington and Palm Desert, California, passed Saturday, March 10, 2012 at home in Olympia after a short illness. Born in Beverly, Massachusetts on July 1, 1933, to the late Fred and Marion (Louraine) Durrell, he was a graduate of Beverly High School and Bentley College in Boston, Massachusetts and served in the National Guard and Reserve from 1951 to 1960. He married the love of his life on July 2, 1955 and together they raised four daughters. Jack went to work for a small chemical company in Beverly, where he served in many capacities during his 43 years of service, including Human Resource Director. In 1975, he and his family transferred to Washington State to accept a position as Plant Manager of the company’s new chemical facility opening in Elma, Washington. He found the people of the area to be exceptional and often referred to them as the greatest team he had ever worked with. The plant became a state of the art facility for the company and was recognized for its outstanding environmental and safety achievements; Jack retired in 1995. Jack was active in the Elma area, serving with the United Fund for several years and on the Mark Reed Hospital Board of Directors from 1978 to 1989. Although he was a devoted Mariner fan, he continued to follow his much-loved Boston Red Sox, and greatly enjoyed travel, golf, baseball, theater, music, photography and reading. As a younger man, sailing, skiing and hiking, especially to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier, brought him great joy in the outdoors. Jack was a kind, compassionate man with a great sense of humor and was adored by all who knew him. He treasured time spent with his family and will be remembered for his warmth, generosity and zest for life. His survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Ann; daughters, Jan Durrell (Glen Alcorn), Julie (Charles) Hamstreet, Lisa (Timothy) Wolph and Lynne Durrell (William Haynes); seven fantastic grandchildren whom he adored, Justin and Eric Mueller, Bradley (Samantha) and Leslie Hamstreet, Brian and Jamie Wolph, and Heidi (Peter) Braile; great granddaughter, Piper Braile. He is also survived by two sisters, Marion Trowt and Jean (Guerdon) Davis, both of Beverly, Massachusetts; three sisters-in-law, Carol (George) Larcom of Venice, Florida, Martha Hazell of Wenham, Massachusetts, and Dorothy Durrell of Wenham, Massachusetts, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph; and sister, Phyllis Beaulieu. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Assured Hospice of Thurston/Mason County. Please leave memories of John or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.