Donald “Don” LeRoy Dundon, age 63, of Cascadia, died Monday, September 24, 2007 at his home. His death came at the end of a long illness, which originally occurred in 1964, while in the U.S. Navy.

Don was born October 12, 1943 at the old Lebanon Hospital, now the library. His father and mother were both born in Cascadia. His grandparents were Oregon pioneers of 1864. One great-grandfather was a full blooded Cherokee; another great-great grandfather was the boxer, John L. Sullivan. A great-great grand uncle was a Confederate General, Robert E. Lee.

He joined the Navy after graduating from Sweet Home Union High School in 1961 and earned an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for involvement in the Cuban Crisis. He later received a second Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in China. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Metal, Bronze Star, Honorary China Bombardment Medal issued in 2007 and the R.O.C. Defense Badge.

While working for machine shops in the Willamette Valley, he improved existing machines and invented many devices. While working for Western Irrigation of Eugene in the early 1970’s, he developed the improved “surge valve” used by the irrigation industry worldwide. Don never patented any of his inventions, and was most proud of the surge valve, as it has saved many billions of gallons of water. He said that invention paid for his time on this earth.

With his Brother, Terry Dean Dundon, he was co-owner of Dundon Brothers Logging; and he once owned the Metolious Fly Shop. He was a member of the Sweet Home American Legion, the Spokane Portland & Seattle Historical Society and a baptized member of the Church of God. He spent all his life in Cascadia and the Willamette Valley except for one extended trip to Israel and New England.

He worked as a logger, equipment operator, machinist, draftsman, trout fly tier (he would tie a fly to match what was hatching) and was a published poet. Hobbies were fly fishing, hunting, canoeing, writing short stories, religious history, and model railroading.

Don is survived by his daughter, Darcie Miller, of Brownsville; sons, Rexford L. and John William-Buchanan Dundon, both of Cascadia; one grandson, Eugene Allen Dundon, of Tennessee; a brother and sister, Terry Dundon and Linda Stiver; and a nephew and niece.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rexford Lee Dundon (1994), mother, Cora Edna Buchanan Dundon (1998), and brother, Eugene Allen Dundon (1945).

Viewing will be from 4:00-7:00 pm Friday, September 28, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 am Saturday, September 29, at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.