Douglas Ray Loney was called home to rest by God on Monday, December 12, 2022, after a yearlong battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. We were very fortunate that he was surrounded by family with so much love and prayer at the time of his passing.

Doug was born on April 29, 1962, in the Dalles, Oregon. He grew up in Touchet, Washington, and was a 1980 graduate of Touchet High school. During his school years, Doug was active in 4-H and FFA, raising hogs and steers for the Walla Walla Fair. In high school, he took great pride in his experience as a Touchet Indian Football player. Doug was captain of the 1979 state championship team. The friendships Doug formed in his early years lasted throughout his life. Doug graduated from Eastern Washington University, where he enjoyed theatrical set building, music, and art. He started his career working with the U.S. Forest Service because of his love of the outdoors. Doug joined the Employment Security Department in 1989, where he held various progressive roles, including Operations Manager and Office Administrator, over the course of 32 years until retirement in 2021.

Doug met the love of his life and soulmate, Berta Rodriguez, when they were both working in the Tri-Cities. They began dating and were married six months later. They welcomed their son, Ian, in 1993 and their daughter, Mckenzie, in 1996. They moved to his grandparent’s farm in Gardena, renovating the homestead and raising their family. Doug and Berta were blessed to have celebrated 30 years of marriage in September of this year.

Doug enjoyed the simple things in life: family, friends, celebrations, and community. Hosting Thanksgiving was very special, with dozens of extended family gathering at their home each year. He loved sharing a glass of chardonnay with friends at his home on the family farm, especially in his backyard, while enjoying music, conversation, and watching the clouds go by. His favorite places to relax and unwind included Jubilee Lake, Cannon Beach, the Tucannon, and  Port Kelly Yacht Club. Doug’s camping, fishing, and hunting adventures were some of his greatest memories. Anyone who spent time with Doug knew what a wonderful, kind, and gentle-hearted soul of a man he was!

Doug was dedicated to his community, serving on the board of the Touchet Educational Foundation from 2004-2016, holding the position of President for many years. Doug’s creative talents were often called upon to help with Touchet’s May Day celebration and school programs. He actively contributed to local arenas, including the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee, and Community College.

Doug is survived by his wife, Berta; son, Ian, and daughter, Mckenzie; mother, Beverly Barnett (Wayne); father, Darrell Loney (Patti); sister, Debbie Loney Smyth (Jeff); grandfather, Perry Anderson; step-brother, Skyler Barnett; step-sister, Kady Tucker (Pat); step-brother, John Walker;  sister-in-law, Vivian Rodriguez; brother-in-law, Steve Rodriguez (Kelley); sister-in-law, Joy Rodriguez. Doug was loved by nieces and nephews: Brooke, Sydney, Alyssa, Abbie, Melissa, Shannon, Jayla, Braylee, Maddie, Ryan, Ely, Ian, Cole, Sky, Brandon, Jagger. Great-nephews, Nolan, Juddson, Cash, Jasper, Bennet, Bronx, Sterling, and Clayton; and great-nieces, Adelynn, Brooklyn, and a couple more on the way! His loving family includes many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who became family throughout his life. We were all blessed to have called him ours!

He was preceded in death by his father, Oran (Diane) Loney; grandparents, Josephine Anderson, Hazel and Herb Loney; Cousins, Robert Schaeffer and Neil Anderson.

Doug was lovingly cared for at home by his wife Berta, mother Beverly, sister-in-law Vivian, and caregiver Lupe Mata. The family would like to thank friends, family, and community for all of their love, support, and prayers. We could not have gotten through this without you! A special thank you to the nursing staff, CNAs, therapists, and doctors at Swedish Hospital Cherry Hill, Seattle, Providence St. Mary, Park Manor rehabilitation facility, Hospice, and Cancer Center of Walla Walla for the compassionate and loving care given to Doug throughout his battle.

A celebration of life for Doug will be held at the Chvatal Family Farm in Touchet on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 1:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Touchet Educational Foundation, Glioblastoma Foundation, or a charity of your choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral home, 315 W. Alder St. Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.

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Douglas Ray Loney was called home to rest by God on Monday, December 12, 2022, after a yearlong battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. We were very fortunate that he was surrounded by family with so much love and prayer at the time of his passing.

Doug was born on April 29, 1962, in the Dalles, Oregon. He grew up in Touchet, Washington, and was a 1980 graduate of Touchet High school. During his school years, Doug was active in 4-H and FFA, raising hogs and steers for the Walla Walla Fair. In high school, he took great pride in his experience as a Touchet Indian Football player. Doug was captain of the 1979 state championship team. The friendships Doug formed in his early years lasted throughout his life. Doug graduated from Eastern Washington University, where he enjoyed theatrical set building, music, and art. He started his career working with the U.S. Forest Service because of his love of the outdoors. Doug joined the Employment Security Department in 1989, where he held various progressive roles, including Operations Manager and Office Administrator, over the course of 32 years until retirement in 2021.

Doug met the love of his life and soulmate, Berta Rodriguez, when they were both working in the Tri-Cities. They began dating and were married six months later. They welcomed their son, Ian, in 1993 and their daughter, Mckenzie, in 1996. They moved to his grandparent’s farm in Gardena, renovating the homestead and raising their family. Doug and Berta were blessed to have celebrated 30 years of marriage in September of this year.

Doug enjoyed the simple things in life: family, friends, celebrations, and community. Hosting Thanksgiving was very special, with dozens of extended family gathering at their home each year. He loved sharing a glass of chardonnay with friends at his home on the family farm, especially in his backyard, while enjoying music, conversation, and watching the clouds go by. His favorite places to relax and unwind included Jubilee Lake, Cannon Beach, the Tucannon, and  Port Kelly Yacht Club. Doug’s camping, fishing, and hunting adventures were some of his greatest memories. Anyone who spent time with Doug knew what a wonderful, kind, and gentle-hearted soul of a man he was!

Doug was dedicated to his community, serving on the board of the Touchet Educational Foundation from 2004-2016, holding the position of President for many years. Doug’s creative talents were often called upon to help with Touchet’s May Day celebration and school programs. He actively contributed to local arenas, including the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee, and Community College.

Doug is survived by his wife, Berta; son, Ian, and daughter, Mckenzie; mother, Beverly Barnett (Wayne); father, Darrell Loney (Patti); sister, Debbie Loney Smyth (Jeff); grandfather, Perry Anderson; step-brother, Skyler Barnett; step-sister, Kady Tucker (Pat); step-brother, John Walker;  sister-in-law, Vivian Rodriguez; brother-in-law, Steve Rodriguez (Kelley); sister-in-law, Joy Rodriguez. Doug was loved by nieces and nephews: Brooke, Sydney, Alyssa, Abbie, Melissa, Shannon, Jayla, Braylee, Maddie, Ryan, Ely, Ian, Cole, Sky, Brandon, Jagger. Great-nephews, Nolan, Juddson, Cash, Jasper, Bennet, Bronx, Sterling, and Clayton; and great-nieces, Adelynn, Brooklyn, and a couple more on the way! His loving family includes many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who became family throughout his life. We were all blessed to have called him ours!

He was preceded in death by his father, Oran (Diane) Loney; grandparents, Josephine Anderson, Hazel and Herb Loney; Cousins, Robert Schaeffer and Neil Anderson.

Doug was lovingly cared for at home by his wife Berta, mother Beverly, sister-in-law Vivian, and caregiver Lupe Mata. The family would like to thank friends, family, and community for all of their love, support, and prayers. We could not have gotten through this without you! A special thank you to the nursing staff, CNAs, therapists, and doctors at Swedish Hospital Cherry Hill, Seattle, Providence St. Mary, Park Manor rehabilitation facility, Hospice, and Cancer Center of Walla Walla for the compassionate and loving care given to Doug throughout his battle.

A celebration of life for Doug will be held at the Chvatal Family Farm in Touchet on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 1:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Touchet Educational Foundation, Glioblastoma Foundation, or a charity of your choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral home, 315 W. Alder St. Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.

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