Walter Russell Durrah

Walter Russell "Russ" Durrah, 79 passed, away at Peace Health Richard Nau Hospice in Longview Thursday Aug. 21, 2025. Russ was born on Jan. 14, 1946 in Seattle to George Durrah and June Vicary Durrah. Russ lived most of his life in Skamokawa and Cathlamet, attending Skamokawa grade school and Wahkiakum High School, graduating in 1965. He had a football scholarship to Shoreline Community College for one year. Russ worked for his family's business, Durrah and McCormick Logging as soon as he could. On Aug. 20, 1966, he married Kathleen Watkins. He joined the United States Air Force in Nov. 1966. The couple was stationed in Wichita, Kans., during his military career. He later formed Durrah Timber and Rock with Kurt Vick and retired in 2010.

Russ loved to sing and dance. He was active in groups where he was able to perform in musicals such as the Skamokawa Review and cabarets in Longview for many years. He loved his dogs and cats, duck hunting, watching football and the Mariners. Russ was an active District 4 fireman for 25 years, a member of the Wahkiakum Historical Society, the Wahkiakum Fair, and Friends of Skamokawa. He loved life and will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Watkins Durrah on Jan. 24, 2024. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Duck Inn in Skamokawa at 2 p.m. A private family burial was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet. Dowling funeral home is in charge of arrangements.