Walking On: Dwight Ursell Summerlin, LaDonna Terri Hembree (Norwest)

Dwight Ursell Summerlin

Oct. 20, 1944 – Jan. 30, 2025

Tribal Elder Dwight Ursell Summerlin passed away on Jan. 30, 2025, at the age of 80 in Tumwater, Washington.

Dwight was born Oct. 20, 1944, in McMinnville, Oregon, to Emma (Riggs) Summerlin and Ursell Summerlin.

Much of Dwight's childhood was spent between Oregon and California, often being looked after by family. He started working from the young age of six. He told many stories of picking hops, blueberries and green beans. He worked alongside his cousins and many of his first friendships were formed.

Throughout his schooling, he sold sketches for a nickel and worked in the kitchen to pay for his meals.

Dwight had a fondness for cars. One the first motors he ever built was after school with the guidance of a man named Mr. Leighton who owned a wrecking yard. He would leave written instructions every night with the motor and Dwight would work diligently completing his first built motor that sparked a lifelong love of building motors. Dwight worked through high school and graduated in 1964 from North Salem High School.

After graduation, Dwight proudly made the decision to serve his country in the United States Air force. After completing his training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, he was sent to serve in Thailand. During his time in the service, he learned to weld, with that skill he became part of Strategic Air Command as well as Studies Observation Group. Being a part of these groups was a great honor to Dwight.

Dwight told many stories of his time in the service and lots of happy memories of friends he never forgot. Dwight was also stationed in Guam, where he enjoyed cliff diving and attempted to learn scuba diving. That was cut short with his one close encounter with a great white shark. He said he swam the fastest he had ever had in his life back to shore and he walked the 20 miles back to base and that was the end of him and scuba diving. Dwight told this story and endless others in a way that would make you laugh and feel as though it was just the other day.

In 1968, Dwight finished his service and honorably discharged at March Air Force Base near Riverside, California, where he started a family with then-wife Lenore Coffey. Together they had three daughters, Maureen, Tracey and Teresa. In 1977, Dwight moved to Washington state with his family in search of more opportunities. He continued to work within the field of welding and production.

In December 1981, he married his second wife, Marjie Olmstead, and had three more children: Melanie, Dwight and Matthew. 

Dwight started his career with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, in the spring of 1985. During his time there Dwight had a very fulfilling career. He had obtained a red badge security clearance and was a crew foreman. Dwight worked on many large-scale projects often working overtime for weeks straight. He did this with a sense of pride and the work ethic he developed in his youth.

In 2010, Dwight retired from his career with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During his retirement, Dwight enjoyed collecting models, knives and movies. He also spent time working intermittently on various projects and upgrades on his vehicles. Dwight was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and his beloved dog, Jack.

Funeral Alternatives of Washington assisted the family.

LaDonna Terri Hembree (Norwest)

Dec. 31, 1968 – Feb. 22, 2025

Tribal Elder LaDonna Terri Hembree (Norwest) passed away on Feb. 22, 2025, at the age of 56 in McMinnville, Oregon.

She was born Dec. 31, 1968, in Ketchikan, Alaska. She moved with her family from Ketchikan to the West Valley area in 1971.

She attended Willamina schools and graduated in 1991 from West Valley Academy.

LaDonna worked retail at Seaway Market and The Grand Ronde Shopping Center, and in security at Spirit Mountain Casino.

She loved to go fishing and was always ready to go on an adventure. She collected vinyl records, agates and liked to bead. She loved to drive up Spirit Mountain listening to Etta James and the Eagles, reminiscing about family. She loved going to the river and being outside in nature.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alisa and Nick Mull of Grand Ronde; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Amber Rose Norwest of Gresham; brother, Johnny Norwest of Lafayette;  and sisters, Shirley Norwest of Salem, Daniele Powley of Grand Ronde, Jackie Brown of Benton City, Washington; and three grandchildren, Kaywah Norwest, Sunny Mull and Hope Mull.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcellus and Sharon Norwest; brothers, Lonnie, Robin, Marcellus Jr., Andrew, John “Big John” Norwest and Lyle Johnson; and sister, Carmen Norwest.

A viewing was held Wednesday, March 5, at Bollman’s Tribute Center in Dallas. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Tribal gym, followed by a gravesite service at the Tribal cemetery and a meal at the Tribal Community Center.