Edward Darwin Du Ree

Ed was born on December 22, 1935 in Inglewood,Ca. He was the 2nd son of Albert Daniel “Dan” Du Ree and Bertha “Berta” Elizabeth Lewis Du Ree. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints in his childhood. He was involved in the Cub Scouts, he had a paper route , he enjoyed swimming and was on the high school swim team. When he was 14 he got his first job at a restaurant which eventually led to a career in the of more than 40 years in the restaurant business. He joined the navy reserve in high school and he decided he didn’t have sea legs and later joined the army. When he joined the army he made a conscious choice to go to church as many Sundays as he could. Up until that point his parents neither discouraged or encouraged him to go to church. It was during his time in the army at Ft Bragg that he gained his testimony of Jesus Christ. He served most of his time as company clerk.

Upon discharge he met his sweetheart Grace Juanell Muckleroy. They married in the Los Angeles Temple 6 months later. They had 4 children while living in Bell, Ca.

In 1973 Ed and Grace had a crazy idea to buy a farm in Hickman, CA which ended up being one of the best experiences of their lives. So much hard work, so much learning and so much fun took place on that farm they called GreenHorn Acres. He was involved in scouting as a Stake Cub scout master and cub scout master in the community of Waterford and Boy Scout master. He hosted spaghetti dinner fundraisers and helped with so many ward dinners and cooked for girls camp. Some of the church calling he held were primary teacher, Sunday School teacher, stake missionary and ward clerk and stake clerk. He served as clerk for 29 years! He loved that calling! He and Grace also served a mission together at the Bishops Storehouse for 2 years and The Church Farm for one year.

He also worked for Lyons Restaurant from 1973 til 1988 then began a 14 year career with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as facilities management. Ed and grace also catered many weddings for ward and stake members. In 1990 they began catering the Lions Club dinners and didn’t retire until 2018 from that. He enjoyed that so much.

Upon retirement he and Grace spent their time quietly serving their neighbors, friends and ward members and serving in the temple.

In 2018 Ed and Grace moved to Arizona to be closer to 2 of their children.

Ed was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and always put his family and God before anything else. He left a legacy of love, devotion, faith in Jesus Christ,hard work, service, and frugality.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his brother William “Bill” Du Ree. He is survived by his wife, Grace, his sister Jackie Hanson, children Mark(Noriko) Du Ree, Susan (David) Thibodeaux , David (Carol) Du Ree, Julie (David) Downing . Grandchildren Ken (Airi) DuRee, Rebecca (David) Stephan, Emily (Andrew) Jordan, David “Eddie” Thibodeaux, Megan (Mason) Bingham, Claudia (Kevin) Kruse, Bryson Downing, Daniel Thibodeaux, Sarah Du Ree, Camilla (Dane) Markham, Rachel Du Ree, Caleb Downing, Lydia Du Ree. Great grandchildren Hyrum Jordan, Alma Stephan, Ruth Jordan, Forrest Stephan, Ammon Jordan, Skyler Du Ree, Stella Bingham and Shiloh Jordan .

A graveside service will be held at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park on Wednesday October 12, 2022 at 10 am

(400 S. Power Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85206)