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Donald Thomas McDermott Jr., 70, of Murdock, Wash., crossed the silver glass on May 15, 2023. He withstood cancer for two years and defeated it by crossing at home, listening to poetry read by his wife and son.
Born on May 7, 1953, in Winchester, Mass., he was the son of Mary and Donald T. McDermott Sr. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Delano, who said “I do” on the shores of Little Pleasant Bay in 1989. His aunt, Barbara; his stepmother, JoAnne; his siblings, David and Anne Marie, and their children; and his son Connor also celebrate his memory.
Don, or “McD” as he was affectionately known, loved the Columbia River Gorge. In summer, you could find him sailing or kitesurfing until sunset, coming in off the river with a gleaming grin just as the light dipped below the hills. In winter, he would be up in those same hills, skiing down the slopes and grabbing a quick peanut butter sandwich — on his classic homemade bread — before hitting the slopes again.
In the shadow of the Columbia’s basalt cliffs, he and Sarah put down roots, and together carved Scorched Earth Vineyards out of the desert. They were active members in the Columbia Gorge Winegrower’s Association which grew this region into a full-blown American Viticultural Area.
Although multi-talented, Don’s final career was as a real estate agent. He specialized in large parcels, and loved hiking property lines with the many bird dogs he raised and trained. As part of this work, he brokered deals that helped many local businesses bloom.
Don was also a public servant. As president of the Dallesport-Murdock Community Council, he stood up for the people whenever they needed a voice and would work late into the night researching and debating the best pathways forward for his community.
Don McDermott was a scholar, a hooligan, and a daring dreamer.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Don’s memory to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The family will be hosting a traditional Irish Wake on March 17 at Cascade Cliffs, Wishram, at 1:30 p.m. Please come celebrate McD with us. Kindly RSVP to mcdswake@gmail.com.
Don, aka McD, was one of my best mates and one of the people who I had the greatest respect for. We met in Boston on the beach of Nahant Bay, windsurfing gear stacked on the roofs of our cars, and thereafter spent countless hours chasing wind and waves on Cape Cod and around New England - and then also in the Gorge when he moved there, and I moved the San Francisco almost simultaneously , to explore a new phase in our own lives, but always remaining in contact and visiting to windsurf or skiing the icy slopes of New England and Tuckermans Ravine, or hiking to ski the powder in the chutes of Little Cottonwood Canyon, . Words cannot say how much I enjoyed his company, often joking and ribbing each other, often having deep and intellectual conversations...the kind that only the best of friends can have. There is nobody like him as far as I know. Nor are there words for how much I will miss McD, "me aul segosha". I recall some words that were once spoken that seem appropriate ..."A great tree has fallen". Farwell my fine friend, fare the well.
At this point I am not sure of how or when I knew Don but I remember that I liked him and appreciated his contribution to advocating for the betterment of all.
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Don, aka McD, was one of my best mates and one of the people who I had the greatest respect for. We met in Boston on the beach of Nahant Bay, windsurfing gear stacked on the roofs of our cars, and thereafter spent countless hours chasing wind and waves on Cape Cod and around New England - and then also in the Gorge when he moved there, and I moved the San Francisco almost simultaneously , to explore a new phase in our own lives, but always remaining in contact and visiting to windsurf or skiing the icy slopes of New England and Tuckermans Ravine, or hiking to ski the powder in the chutes of Little Cottonwood Canyon, . Words cannot say how much I enjoyed his company, often joking and ribbing each other, often having deep and intellectual conversations...the kind that only the best of friends can have. There is nobody like him as far as I know. Nor are there words for how much I will miss McD, "me aul segosha". I recall some words that were once spoken that seem appropriate ..."A great tree has fallen". Farwell my fine friend, fare the well.
At this point I am not sure of how or when I knew Don but I remember that I liked him and appreciated his contribution to advocating for the betterment of all.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.