Louis A Durst

December 27, 1918 ~

June 1, 2011

Louis Allen Durst was born to parents Johnnie and Effie Viola (Round) Durst on December 27th, 1918, in Long Creek, Oregon. If asked about his place of origin, Louis would say that he was born in "Long Creek Hotel, room number eight", as his parents ran that hotel at the time of his birth.

He was raised in Long Creek and attended Long Creek High School. He worked as a sheep herder in his younger years. Around 1942, when Louis was in his 20's, he moved to the Portland, Oregon area. He attended carpentry school in Umatilla, Oregon. A friend in carpentry school introduced Louis to his twin sister, Beulah. Louis and Beulah were married in 1943. Their family and faith were the foundations of their lives.

Louis' career was as a pilebuck superintendent. His work was mainly in the Columbia River area, but his work also took him to the Oregon Coast, Alaska and the San Francisco Bay area. He retired in 1982.

Louis was a skilled carpenter. He was a builder and a doer. With the help of Beulah, he built his first home from the basement to the roof. He had many interests and things that he liked to do, and helping others was always a priority. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Following retirement, Louis and Beulah enjoyed salmon fishing together. He built bird houses, and did wood-working projects with his great-grandchildren. Vegetable and floral gardening were also a favorite activity. Louis and his wife were avid Portland Trailblazer fans. They even had a Trailblazer mailbox that their son Stan made for them.

He is predeceased by his loving wife, Beulah; a son, Rodney, and a sister, Doris Frisbee.

Survivors include his sons, John and Stan Durst; a sister, Arlene Roland; grandchildren, Julie Carrasco, Tiffany Whitehurst, and Kelli Vowell; and great-grandchildren, Austen and Hayden Whitehurst, and Alex Carrasco.

A public visitation will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, June 11, from 12 to 5pm.

A Graveside Ceremony will take place in Skyline Memorial Gardens on Monday, June 13th, at 10am.

A Memorial Service will take place in West Portland United Methodist Church on Monday, June 13th, at 1pm.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to:

West Portland United Methodist Church

or to

Loaves and Fishes

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR. (503) 292-6611