Darrel Stutesman's Obituary
Darrel Stutesman of Lakewood, Washington passed away at his home on April 9, 2026.
Born March 28, 1931, in Sheridan, Missouri, he was a loving son of Eugene and Grace Stutesman. He grew up in Aberdeen and Vancouver, Washington in a family of 6 brothers and 2 sisters. He was the 5th born of nine children. After graduation from high school, he joined the Navy and served during the Korean War on the USS Princeton and the USS Essex. He wrestled for the Navy and during a wrestling tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, he met Joanna Smith who became his wife.
Darrel married the love of his life, Joanna Smith, on July 14, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. And so began their life of travel. They lived in Cleveland for the first three years of their marriage while Darrel finished college at Baldwin Wallace University. Upon Darrel taking a job with Weyerhaeuser, they would ultimately move 11 times during his career at Weyerhaeuser.
The first work assignment was a move to Longview, Washington, where their daughter Karen was born. Quickly, they were transferred to Newark, New Jersey. From Newark, their next move found them in Memphis, Tennessee, where their daughter Janet and son Gregory were born. In 1964, they relocated to Nashville, Tennessee and remained there until 1966 when they moved to Tacoma, Washington. Two years later, they found themselves transferred again, this time to Denver, Colorado. After two winters in Denver, there was a short nine-month stint back in Tacoma before moving to Hot Springs, Arkansas. In 1975, Darrel was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia, and the final transfer was back to Tacoma in 1976 where he lived the rest of his life.
Darrel was passionate about golf, billiards, family and friends. To his friends, he was affectionately referred to as Stutes.
He was a competitive billiard player and frequently hosted his billiard friends at his home during tournaments. Darrel was even a part owner in Platinum Billiards which is a billiard hall located in Istanbul, Turkey. To anyone who showed a remote interest in billiards, he would say, “I can make a billiard player out of you.”
Darrel was a life-long member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). He served in many leadership capacities over the years including as the Exalted Ruler of the Tacoma Lodge from 2001-2002.
His daughter Janet had two children, Sean born in 1996 and Andrew born in 1998. Papa, as his grandsons so affectionately called him, was a constant presence in their lives. He shared his love of golf and chess with the boys. In addition, he shared his love of both digging and enjoying razor clams and taught the boys how to cook them like his mother. The grandsons especially liked the annual visits to the Puyallup Fair where Papa always won them both a LARGE stuffed animal at the pool tables.
In 2011, Joanna was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Darrel was her primary care provider with some assistance from home aides before moving into a memory care facility her last year. Darrel was so loving and nurturing with her during this time. Joanna passed away in Lakewood, WA on July 10, 2016 just before their 60 year wedding anniversary.
Two years after Joanna’s passing, he met Judy Taut and they shared 8 years together.
Darrel is survived by his daughter Karen Stutesman of Camano Island, WA, his daughter Janet Campton of Woodinville, WA, his son-in-law Chris Campton of Woodinville, WA, his grandson Sean Campton and wife Sara of Simpsonville, SC, his grandson Andrew Campton of Austin, TX, his great-grandson Tommy Campton and soon-to-be born great-granddaughter Elena Campton of Simpsonville, SC, brother Gerald Stutesman of Ilwaco, WA and sister Charlotte Schill of Vancouver, WA. He was preceded in death by his wife Joanna, son Greg, his sister Pauline, his brothers Drexel, Jack, Harlan, Mervin, and Marion as well as his parents, Eugene and Grace.
Darrel has been laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery along with his wife and son.
His family will always remember him as a loving and devoted husband, the most amazing father to his children, and an involved and supportive grandfather. He has touched so many lives and will be forever missed.
Darrel’s children and grandchildren will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Darrel on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery located at 4100 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. A reception will follow at The Cloverleaf located at 6430 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 which was Darrel’s favorite pizzeria for over 50 years.
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