DRAUGHN, Deward W. (Buck)

Deward W. (Buck) Draughn, 68 years old, husband and father of two children passed away on June 8, 2007 in Woodinville, Washington after a long and courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease) while supported by family and friends. Buck was born in Shelbyville, Missouri where he spent many years with his grandparents on their farm in south central Missouri. His mother was one of 12 kids which meant he grew up with a lot of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was the only student in the 8th grade when he graduated from a one room school. After he graduated from Houston High School he joined the Air Force and spent most of his four years of military service in Moses Lake, Washington where he met his wife of 45 years, Phyllis Nelson. After marriage they lived in Phoenix, Arizona where he became the owner of ABC Moving and Storage. While in the moving business he was a member of the Phoenix Jaycees and the Phoenix Traffic Club and spent many years working on the Fiesta Bowl Parade. For 45 years in Phoenix he provided a safe and happy home in which he and Phyllis raised their family. After retirement from the moving business he and Phyllis spent their summers in Washington and winters in Arizona. With his wife and friends and family Buck spent time traveling and enjoying his retirement years. In 1980 he fulfilled his life long dream, traveling for three months throughout the United States in a motor home with his wife, kids, and mother-in-law, Aileen Nelson. Trips to Alaska, England, Scotland, Ireland, a raft trip through the Grand Canyon, and a cruise through the Panama Canal were highlights in the last few years. Buck's love of golf kept him happy while playing year around with his friends: Bill, Rich, Bob, Al, John, Tom, Charlie, Richard and others. Regular summer garage sale hunting trips with friend Dick created interesting times because as they returned the families never knew what wonderful and useless treasures would fill the back of the pickup. Buck also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends and family and won much too often to make his opponents happy. He was loved by many and often called "Bucky Good Guy". During his fight with ALS, Buck maintained his sense of humor and in spite of the challenges of the disease he continued to participate in his surroundings and was ecstatic to be able to attend his daughter Dalene's wedding in February. He had special help at home from the wonderful Hospice team, his wife and good buddy Gary. Phyllis was his primary caregiver as he faced the struggles of this insidious disease, while his son Bret & grandson Beau from Arizona were blessedly able to visit often and his daughter Dalene and new husband Michael were frequent visitors. His children and grandson were a great source of pride to him and he enjoyed their success in life and often said how proud he was of them. Buck Draughn is survived by his wife Phyllis of 45 years; son Bret of Peoria, AZ; daughter Dalene King (Michael) of Bothell, WA; grandson Beau of Peoria, AZ; sisters Kathryn Myers of Wisconsin and Carolyn Jackson (Ken) of Texas. He leaves many relatives and life long friends around the United States who will miss him. A memorial was held Saturday June 16, 2007, in Washington at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, Washington. A gathering to celebrate his life was held in Arizona on October 21, 2007. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter, 19110 66th Ave. S., Suite G101, Kent WA 98032 or Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 425 Pontius Ave N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109 or a charity of your choice. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/13/2007.