Danny Lee DeFreece Sr.

Danny Lee DeFreece Sr (Big Dan), age 74, went to be with his Lord on December

19, 2015 at 5:18 PM after a severe fight with Lewy Body Dementia. Surrounded by

Family who faithfully stayed with him in his last few days and hours at the

Evergreen Hospice Center in Kirkland, WA., Dan passed peacefully in his sleep.

He was born December 16, 1941 in West Seattle, and grew up in La Conner, WA.

Dan was BORN AGAIN on December 25, 1955 in Sweet Home, Oregon. (6 days shy

of 60 years on the Narrow Road) Danny was married for 54 years to Eunice

Murphy, they met at the Arlington Gospel Hall and it was love at first sight. He

married Eunice September 30, 1961 in Everett,WA. They raised their children

Danny Jr. (DJ), Stephen and Kimberly in Snohomish County.

Big Dan loved the outdoors. Spending many hours hiking, mountain climbing and

camping. Dan was an avid hunter and fisherman and the highlight of his year

would be deer hunting in Eastern Washington with his sons, DJ and Steve. Dan

and Eunice took many road trips with the jeep into the backcountry, often

needing his winch and spare tire. They loved road trips together. Each year they

would load the camper and drive to the freeway and ask each other “which way

should we turn?”

His greatest love was for his Heavenly Father and the Assembly. The Seattle

Assembly was Dan and Eunice’s home for worship all of their married lives until

the day of his passing into the Lord’s Presence. Dan was known as a kind, gentle

Shepherd and for his Big Heart which encompassed every person who attended

the meetings and as well, all his friends and neighbors. Dan and Eunice always

opened their home for everyone and entertained with Eunice’s delicious gourmet

cooking and Dan’s loving spirit. His heart was for the Saints and Dan served

faithfully as an Overseer from 2004 until he stepped down of his own accord

because of health issues and the onset of Lewy Body Dementia. He had a longing

desire to see the new Hall completed in Clearview and to see the testimony there

go on. We are sure he is just fine though, being in Heaven instead, as God saw fit

for Dan to be with Himself before the hall’s completion.

Dan is survived by his Wife Eunice, Son DJ and wife Dawn DeFreece, Son Stephen

and wife Patty DeFreece, Daughter Kimberly Fallis and Husband Josh. Eleven

Grandchildren, Matthew, Leah and Emily DeFreece- Justyn, Jennifer, Kaylee,

Nevaeh and Kelton DeFreece- Tori Fallis, Star and Alicia Justus and 1 Great

Danny Lee DeFreece Sr

Grandson, Elijah DeFreece. Also survived by his Brother Jim DeFreece and wife

Donna and his Sisters Jeanette Jones and husband Sam, Patricia Norman and

husband Erle and Shelia Murphy Bhagat.

Dan was preceded in death by his Maternal Parents Jim and Rose DeFreece of

Arlington Washington, Paternal Parents Max and Rachel Murphy of Rockaway

Beach, Oregon, and Brother Michael (Mickey) DeFreece. Dan graduated from La

Conner high school (1959).

Dan served on at least 2 boards as President, PMAW(Purchasing Managers

Association of Washington) and the Propeller Club, and worked as a Purchasing

Manager before starting his own business as a Landscape Gardener in 1979,

where he worked hard and provided for his family until retiring in 2006.

Dan will be sorely missed, but our hearts are filled with Joy knowing that all who

are saved will be with their loved ones again in a soon coming day.