Harold Ned Druihet

Ned approached life as the ticket to the greatest show on earth. He was an only child born to elder parents, Ernest and Susan Boone Druihet on August 3, 1938 in Austin, Minnesota. He was a curious, intelligent child with amazing mechanical ability. From a young age, he could fix anything. As he grew up in Port Huron, Michigan he spent summers on his Aunt Nellie’s farm and loved to talk about being chased by the 2-ton bull or being bucked off by a horse which made him wonder why anyone could possibly have any use for a horse!

His mother moved with Ned several times finally settling in El Centro, California in 1962. Ned finished high school there. While living in the Imperial Valley he became a parachute rigger. He learned to sky dive from his best friend who was a jumper for the Army. Ned got to tag along for their jumps and found he loved it. He was married and had two children, Tim and Terry. He joined the Brawley Police Department and became a policeman and eventually a Sergeant. He was a big, good-looking blond guy and earned some nicknames I can’t repeat from the local bums. He relayed many hilarious stories of police work and the colorful regular repeat offenders. He loved driving his big Harley which his former wife had to endure parked in their small living room. They divorced! While there he also became a pilot, and bought his own airplane. He was very fond of the old man who trained him to fly and his training saved him when he got caught in a storm in the mountains one night. His mechanical ability and cool head saved him.

Ned loved his job of 8 years with the Brawley PD but decided to get his degree in Engineering. He moved to San Diego to begin his career as a Manufacturing Engineer. He was a talented, outstanding engineer, once winning an award for one his designs. He re-married and had two more children, Steven and Jennifer, but eventually they divorced.

Ned and I met one night at a hot spot called Mommas Mink. He was the bouncer there. I was with my roommate to have dinner. Ned and I had instant chemistry. He followed me around everywhere, even into the ladies’ room briefly! At his request, I waited till he got off work. The deal was sealed when I saw his hot red 1969 Corvette. We were inseparable after that night.

I had recently divorced and had sent my daughters and belongings ahead to Seattle. I had to move to Seattle to Join them. Ned sent me flowers and romantic letters every day. He moved up to Seattle and we married December 21st, 1973. He got a job right away. We did a lot of camping and fishing. In fact, you know it was true love when he talked me into steelhead fishing at 5 am in 20 degree cold! And we never caught one. After 2 years Ned decided he wasn’t fond of the weather and he missed his kids so we agreed to move back to California.

Ned got another good job right away. He was a hard worker, always punctual (unlike me), honest, well-liked, funny and a flirt! I was a loan officer in a credit union. It was time to buy our first home. It was such a happy day. We lived there for over 15 years while our daughters were in school.

Marci and I went to the World’s Fair in Vancouver, Canada in 1987. It was a road trip to improve Marci’s driving skills and we had a fun itinerary along the way. I had found a brochure on the Jet boat trips on the Rogue so we booked a trip. After that I was in love with Grants Pass and the Rogue River. Ned came up to join us and loved it too. General Instrument was recruiting for a Manufacturing Manager and Ned got the job. We moved here in 1989. I already loved the Northwest because I grew up in Seattle. It was an adjustment for Ned to get used to the seasons and slower pace of life. We rented a house on the Rogue River the first two years in Grants Pass. It was like being on a good long honeymoon. We purchased a jetboat, 6-man raft and two tahitis. We had so much fun rafting floating and jetting the river on weekends. Lots of BarBQs. Ned was constantly improving his jet boat.

We purchased our home in Grants Pass 1991. We took care of Ned’s mother until she passed at age 100. We also got our son Brian when he was two. Brian brought our home to life. Our life was always filled with kids, dogs and cats, baseball games, football games, picnics and camping in our motor home. Our home is in the country and Ned truly loved living here. He loved animals and found so much pleasure in sitting in his chair and watching them go by in the yard.

Our children have always been important to us. Ned was very close to his daughter, Jennifer. She followed his footsteps into law enforcement. She has risen through the ranks and hard work to become a police sergeant in San Diego, California. I know that even though Ned couldn’t talk at the end, his hugs were enough to let her know how much he loved her. She gave us two intelligent and handsome grandsons Daniel age 17 and Brandon age 21.

Our son Brian gave Ned much pleasure especially in his later years. He loved Brian’s devotion to Jesus. He was so impressed by his maturity and responsibility. Brian has a beautiful wife Shelby and two delightful children Adah age 2 and Elam age one. Ned really loved holding those babies. We were so happy when he moved back to Ashland recently after working in Portland for three years and he is such a comfort to me.

Our daughter Marci was a strong advocate for Ned and really monitored his care. She has always been recognized for her compassion and kindness in her career. Ned always got excited when we were going to see “his Marci.” She has been working as an RN for about twenty years and her skill is constantly amazing to me. She has three beautiful children, Leah age 25, Tanner 18 and graduating this year, and Christopher age 6. Ned was always glad to know she was there for us and told me he loved her often. Christopher loved his pop pop!

I have been thinking about my Ned and some cherished memories I’d like to share before I close. He was funny – we laughed a lot. He never complained about his food. He always tied my shoes for me – in double knots so I wouldn’t trip. He told me I was beautiful every morning, bed head and all. He was kind, generous, respectful and always made me feel loved. A wonderful provider and spoiled me in so many thoughtful ways. He was a Godly man and I will always remember him peacefully reading his Bible in the morning. I will miss him until we meet again for eternity.

God saw you were getting tired
And a cure was not be
So He put His arms around you and whispered “come with me”
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer
And saw you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God gave me such a reassuring gift that day
To show He surely takes the best