Obituary of DAVID R. BRUNELL

DAVID R. BRUNELL (Uncle Dave) Born September 9, 1915, Died August 19, 2007 David graduated from Lincoln High S chool in Tacoma, WA in 1933 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps serving as a camp cook on reclamation projects within Pacific Northwest's National Forests during President Roosevelt's administration and the Great Depression years. David followed that as a restaurateur in Seattle after which he worked as a cook at Foss Tug on the waters of Puget Sound going onto New England Fish Company plying the waters of the Bearing Sea. He then signed on as Steward for Matson Steam Ship Lines on the tourist ship Mariposa and traveled the South Pacific. When World War II broke David joined the Merchant Marines to serve his country traveling the North Pacific waters as a seaman and a cook for the Alaska Steam Ship Company transporting US Troops and war supplies to Kodiak, Alaska and the Island of Attu within the Aleutian Islands. After WW II he settled at Fort Vancouver Plywood Mill in Vancouver, WA as a shareholder where he worked from 1955 till his retirement in 1977. He lived out his life in Tacoma residing with his sister Bernadette Lee for the last 20 years surrounded by his huge extended family. David was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, a past member of the Elk's Club of Tacoma and Cardinal Club. Most importantly, David was a devout Catholic and member of the Church all of his life. David was born in Spokane, WA to the parents of David and Melvina Brunell and was predeceased by his sister Genevieve Smith, brother Edward Brunell, brothers-in-law Howard Lee and Earl Smith, nieces & nephews William Lee, Kenneth Lee, Gayel Lee, Angel Lee and Jeffery Lee. While he had never married and had no children of his own he did not lack for family. He was an involved Godfather to Dreena Adams of Vancouver, WA, throughout his life, from her childhood and adult years. She was very special to him. Dave is also survived by his brother Leonard J. Brunell, University Place, WA and the following first generation of nieces and nephews: Jeanne & Bill Vreeke, Phoenix, AZ; Earl & Jan Smith, Issaquah, WA; Richard & Linda Smith, Port Angeles, WA; Michael Smith, Seattle, WA; Gary Brunelle, Vancouver, WA; Helen Marie Woodson, Portland, OR; Steve & Penny Brunell, Vancouver, WA; James & Beth Lee, David Lee, Tacoma, WA; Bob Lee & Penny Lane, Lakewood, WA; Larry-Paul & Patty Lee, Gig Harbor, WA; and Thom Lee & Mariah Laamb, Olympia, WA. Additionally, David had 30 second-generation, 39 third- generation and 7 fourth- generation nieces and nephews. Had David not saved his brother Leonard and sister Bernadette from drowning when they were children there would have been 53 fewer people within his extended family today. While it may be too cliche to state numerous nieces and nephews, it is important to understand during his charmed lifetime David was involved in the lives of all 97 of them, from their childhood to adult years. Each knew he dearly loved them and they loved him back. All share their special memories of David, spending his time taking them on outings: to the beach, camping, the movies, teaching them how to drive a car and shift the gears, and even bailing out a few of the family's juvenile delinquents. The many family outings: picnics, birthday parties, weddings, that special rabbit trick with his hanky he showed all, the skinning-of-the-cat body flip reserved for the youngest and lightest of his kids, to that crisp new one-dollar bill all his wide-eyed children got from him at Christmas. He never adjusted the amount for inflation over seventy years of giving it because the love behind it more then made up for the dollar's deflation. Those first generation nieces and nephews had it good. David lived his life by the Golden Rule and was highly respected for it. He was also there to bolster and mentor his kids. He gave of himself and his possessions to those in need, whether they asked or not. David Brunell was the quintessential role model, never judgmental, a father figure to his brother and sisters and to all that were privileged enough to have been part of his family, to have felt his love and had the opportunity to reciprocate that love. He was a peach of a man and has left an indelible mark on the lives of all his children. David's family would also like to thank the caring staff of Hospice & Evergreen Health & Rehabilitation Center in Tacoma for their sweet and loving tenderness shown David in the last two weeks of his life. In lieu of flowers David has asked that you make a donation to his favorite charity: The Tacoma Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1912, Tacoma, WA 98401 or through their website at www.trm.org . Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 7025 S. Park Ave., Tacoma, WA at 1:30 PM on Saturday, the 25th. The Rosary will precede Mass at 1:00PM. Services entrusted to Piper Morley Mellinger Funeral Home, 253-472-3353 and please sign our guest book at www.pipermorleymellingerfh.com Published in the News Tribune (Tacoma) on 8/23/2007.