Dee Poirier

Dee passed away on Tuesday March 31, 2015 after a short stay at Harmony House in Brewster. Dee was a proud resident of Pateros for 62 years. He loved being an orchardist and took great pride in growing, packing, and hauling his own fruit. Dee was born February 27, 1929 in Wenatchee, Wa. His early years were spent in Sunnyside, where his family raised cattle. In 1945, he moved back to Entiat when his parents bought an orchard. Dee completed his junior and senior years at Entiat High School, where he loved playing football. Prior to graduation in 1947, Dee and his fellow classmates painted the #47 on Numeral Mountain in Entiat. After high school, he earned enough money to buy a diamond ring by working in the mines at Holden Village for six months. Dee married his high school sweetheart Vada Noon on September 10, 1948. They were married for 66 years. Dee drove logging truck for two years before moving his family to Pateros where he bought his first orchard. He and Vada built a home on the orchard for their young family. Dee also built a cold storage/packing shed on the orchard. He grew, packed and hauled his apples to Idaho and Montana for over 40 years. They moved from the home place in 1965. They were bought out due to the construction of Wells Dam. They then purchased another orchard and built a new home and cold storage/packing line outside of Pateros. This is where Dee spent the rest of his life. Family always came first. Dee worked hard all week, but on weekends it was time to play hard with his children; Linda, Nancy and Larry. In the summer, he would take his family water skiing on the Columbia River and winters were spent snow skiing at the Loup Loup ski area. He also loved to hunt and fish. He always made time to be at his children’s activities. He was their proudest supporter and was a true family man! Dee was active in his community and was always happy to help out at local events like Apple Pie Jamboree. He served on the Pateros School Board for several years and helped get the lights on the football field. It was the beginning of Friday night football instead of afternoon games. As time passed, Dee was blessed with five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren who adored him. He always had time for them, and so many fun memories were created. He was a kind, caring Dad and Grandfather who always told the best jokes and kept us laughing. He was truly one of a kind. He was a wonderful role model and taught us what was important in life. In his later years, he would always say “I have had a good life and I’m proud of my family”. Dee is survived by his wife Vada, three children; Linda (Steve) Black, Nancy (Howard) Maier, Larry (Connie) Poirier, five Grandchildren; Ben and Shane Varrelman, Penny Poland, Josh Poirier, Coco Poirier-Meade, and eight great grandchildren. There will be a private family celebration of his life.

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Dee Poirier

February 27, 1929 - March 31, 2015