1949
Joe
2022
Joe Michael "Dugan" Stansberry
June 14, 1949 — December 10, 2022
Joe Michael, “Dugan” Stansberry died on Saturday December 10 in Port Orchard, WA.
He was born June 14, 1949 in Bremerton, WA to Joseph & Ruth (Welch) Stansberry. He was the youngest of 3 and grew up as the baby of the family with 2 older sisters. After he was born, his dad decided, “There is only room for 1 Joe”. From that day on he was known as Dugan to everyone.
Dugan was raised in Port Orchard where he attended South Kitsap schools and graduated from South Kitsap high school in 1967. He loved his time in high school and was very outgoing and popular. He was proud of the time he spent singing with the Highlighters choir group as well as performing in musicals such as “Brigadoon”. He was actually awarded the title of “Most school spirit” by his peers and that spirit & pride for SK continued throughout his life.
After graduating from high school, he moved to Bellingham to study graphic design and had his first child, Jason.
In 1976 Dugan moved to Alaska to live with his uncle and work at his dry cleaner. In June of that year, in an act of pure serendipity; he met his second wife, Moni.
After a truly whirlwind romance, the 2 were married on July 30, 1976. They stayed in Alaska until November & after a long road trip they decided to settle in Washington near Dugan’s family. They had 3 daughters together; Tanya, Katya (Katie),and Natasha (Sasha). They eventually settled in Olalla, WA on a wonderful piece of property perfect for their family and Dugan’s love for the outdoors.
Dugan began his career as a laborer for his brother in law’s company, Ace Paving, in 1977 and worked for over 20 years in that industry, mostly with Ace Paving & then Associated Sand & Gravel in Skagit county. He retired in the early 2000’s as a grade foreman with the Operating Engineers union. His daughters have fond memories of visiting job sites and going on rides on some of the heavy machinery he operated.
Dugan was charming, handsome, charismatic and loved by many. His faith was a big part of his life after he moved to Skagit valley & found a church home in Mount Vernon. He enjoyed singing in the choir and was never shy about sharing his love for Jesus; especially with his daughters.
He also loved animals and always had a canine companion until he could no longer physically care for one. He loved to garden and had his own style of landscaping. He could truly turn any yard into a work of art & driftwood was often used in his landscapes.
Some of his daughters’ happiest childhood memories are from spending time with their dad when they were growing up. He was usually always up for having fun, between taking them to parks and out for licorice ice cream, to visiting swap meets and the Folklife festival or Bumbershoot in Seattle. He even took them to see one of his favorite singers, Roy Orbison, in concert there. Dugan would sing to the girls before they went to sleep at night; “Happy Trails” and “Toora Loora Looral” were 2 of the songs on frequent rotation & have a very sentimental meaning for all 3 girls.
Dugan suffered from bipolar disorder his entire adult life and had many bouts with manic episodes that eventually changed the course of his life and ultimately led to his decline in health.
He had a stroke in August of 2022 which put him in the hospital followed by a rehab facility and nursing home where he spent the final months of his life. While it was difficult to see him weaken and his personality change, the girls were still able to see glimpses of their healthy father and consider it a blessing and privilege to have been able to care for and visit him in his final months and days.
Dugan is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ruth, and by his infant grandson, Avery.
He is survived by son, Jason, of Bellevue, daughter, Tanya Raymond of Gorst, Katie Hoefler(Matt) of Port Orchard, daughter Sasha Sharer(Ian) of Allyn, 7 grandsons and 2 granddaughters, as well as his sisters; Kathy Seamans of Bremerton and Colleen Taylor (Ernie) of Allyn.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness to help support others dealing with the heartbreak of mental illness.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 1 PM at his daughter, Katie’s home in Port Orchard; address available upon request.
Blessed be his memory.
He was born June 14, 1949 in Bremerton, WA to Joseph & Ruth (Welch) Stansberry. He was the youngest of 3 and grew up as the baby of the family with 2 older sisters. After he was born, his dad decided, “There is only room for 1 Joe”. From that day on he was known as Dugan to everyone.
Dugan was raised in Port Orchard where he attended South Kitsap schools and graduated from South Kitsap high school in 1967. He loved his time in high school and was very outgoing and popular. He was proud of the time he spent singing with the Highlighters choir group as well as performing in musicals such as “Brigadoon”. He was actually awarded the title of “Most school spirit” by his peers and that spirit & pride for SK continued throughout his life.
After graduating from high school, he moved to Bellingham to study graphic design and had his first child, Jason.
In 1976 Dugan moved to Alaska to live with his uncle and work at his dry cleaner. In June of that year, in an act of pure serendipity; he met his second wife, Moni.
After a truly whirlwind romance, the 2 were married on July 30, 1976. They stayed in Alaska until November & after a long road trip they decided to settle in Washington near Dugan’s family. They had 3 daughters together; Tanya, Katya (Katie),and Natasha (Sasha). They eventually settled in Olalla, WA on a wonderful piece of property perfect for their family and Dugan’s love for the outdoors.
Dugan began his career as a laborer for his brother in law’s company, Ace Paving, in 1977 and worked for over 20 years in that industry, mostly with Ace Paving & then Associated Sand & Gravel in Skagit county. He retired in the early 2000’s as a grade foreman with the Operating Engineers union. His daughters have fond memories of visiting job sites and going on rides on some of the heavy machinery he operated.
Dugan was charming, handsome, charismatic and loved by many. His faith was a big part of his life after he moved to Skagit valley & found a church home in Mount Vernon. He enjoyed singing in the choir and was never shy about sharing his love for Jesus; especially with his daughters.
He also loved animals and always had a canine companion until he could no longer physically care for one. He loved to garden and had his own style of landscaping. He could truly turn any yard into a work of art & driftwood was often used in his landscapes.
Some of his daughters’ happiest childhood memories are from spending time with their dad when they were growing up. He was usually always up for having fun, between taking them to parks and out for licorice ice cream, to visiting swap meets and the Folklife festival or Bumbershoot in Seattle. He even took them to see one of his favorite singers, Roy Orbison, in concert there. Dugan would sing to the girls before they went to sleep at night; “Happy Trails” and “Toora Loora Looral” were 2 of the songs on frequent rotation & have a very sentimental meaning for all 3 girls.
Dugan suffered from bipolar disorder his entire adult life and had many bouts with manic episodes that eventually changed the course of his life and ultimately led to his decline in health.
He had a stroke in August of 2022 which put him in the hospital followed by a rehab facility and nursing home where he spent the final months of his life. While it was difficult to see him weaken and his personality change, the girls were still able to see glimpses of their healthy father and consider it a blessing and privilege to have been able to care for and visit him in his final months and days.
Dugan is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ruth, and by his infant grandson, Avery.
He is survived by son, Jason, of Bellevue, daughter, Tanya Raymond of Gorst, Katie Hoefler(Matt) of Port Orchard, daughter Sasha Sharer(Ian) of Allyn, 7 grandsons and 2 granddaughters, as well as his sisters; Kathy Seamans of Bremerton and Colleen Taylor (Ernie) of Allyn.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness to help support others dealing with the heartbreak of mental illness.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 1 PM at his daughter, Katie’s home in Port Orchard; address available upon request.
Blessed be his memory.
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