Alfred Francis Southwell Sept. 2, 1931-March 23, 2013

Alfred Francis “Al” Southwell died Saturday, March 23, 2013 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 81.

He was born Sept. 2, 1931 at Alliance, Neb., to, Merlin Frank and Edna Viola (Keane) Southwell. He lived in Alliance until age 7 when he moved to Tacoma, Wash., where he graduated from high school.

On July 19, 1952, he married Donna Lee Thomson in Tacoma. He worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad for 16 years. Al then went to work as a boilermaker in the shipyards before retiring at the age of 49. He was a member of the Boilermakers Union Local #568 in Tacoma. He served eight years in the National Guard. He enjoyed repairing old cars, bricklaying, woodworking, and was an avid reader.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna, of Hermiston; sons, David (Kay) Southwell of Puyallup, Wash., Larry (Ronda) Southwell of Tacoma, and Brian (Rey) Southwell of Tacoma; daughter, Donna (Dave) Ash of Umatilla; sister, Kay (Richard) Kainu of Yelm, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin and Viola Southwell; and two sisters, Lois Joan Searles and Ann Marie Lucas.

Graveside memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 1 p.m., at the Hermiston Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vange John Memorial Hospice, 645 W. Orchard Ave., Suite 300, Hermiston, 97838.

Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.