Duane D Fike Sr.

March 3, 1926 - August 29, 2012

Survived by son Jimmy (Nina) Fike of Arcata.

It saddens me to say that on August 29, the logging industry lost a local legend, my dad, Buck. There are not many truckers from back in the day who don't remember my dad. He drove a log truck for many different companies and ended his career driving a chip truck for Alto Bros. There have been many trucking stories told around the fire at Lockhart's shop, all of them ending with a knee slapping laugh from my dad. Towards the end, my dad couldn't tell you what he had for lunch, but he could tell you the number of every truck he ever drove and what kind of motor it had. He would light up when he started talking trucks.

When my dad wasn't talking trucks around the fire, you could find him at the Mason Ranch visiting his good buddy Jack. No one was safe from my dad and Jack's comments. Everyone who drove by was either an ahole or a S.O.B. Thanks to the Mason Clan for being so good to my dad. Dad spent the last four months of his life at the Eureka Wellness Center where he quickly found his way into all the nurses and aide's hearts.

He met a new friend in the hall, Matt James, and gave him the nickname Dr. Zoo. The two of them became partners in crime, wrecking havoc up and down the hallway. They kept the staff in stitches with their ornery deeds.

My wife and I would like to thank all the girls at the center for taking such good care of dad and thank you to Dr. Zoo for making my dad's last days more bearable. Also I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come visit my dad in the rest home. He had more visitors than anyone and bragged about it.

My dad was preceded in death by my mom Marjorie Fike, my brothers Duane Jr. (Bubby) Fike, Freddie Dinsmore, and my sister Mary Ann Dinsmore. There will be no services as my dad didn't want a big fuss over him, but next time you tip a beer, make a toast to my dad, Buck Fike.

I love you dad!

Jimmy

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