Donald C. “Duck” Didrickson, who lived most of his life in Sitka, died Feb. 6 at his home, with his family by his side. He was 80.
A memorial dinner will be 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the ANB Founders Hall. A viewing will be 5-7 p.m. tonight at Prewitt’s Funeral Home. A graveside service for the family will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Donald Charles “Duck” Didrickson was born Oct. 3, 1933, in Sitka, the son of Elizabeth Didrickson and Peter James. He attended local schools until he joined the U.S. Navy.
Aftrer his discharge from the Navy, he worked as a tugboat captain on the original Samson Tug.
He retired at one time and was living in Bellingham, Wash., where he met the love of his life, Roxyann.
They returned to Sitka to stay in the mid 1980s.
Donald enjoyed fishing, hunting, picking berries with his family, working on engines, and hiking Sitka trails with either his dogs, grandkids, or the whole family.
He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and family – his three grandchildren were his entire world.
He will be greatly missed, not just by his family but his many friends.
“He’s ‘gone fishin’’ but one day we’ll see him again,” his family wrote.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Petey James and Bobby James.
He is survived by his wife, Roxyann Didrickson of Sitka; son and daughter-in-law Kendall and Jennifer Didrickson of Sitka; daughter Crystal Didrickson of Sitka; grandchildren Kiera, Corbin and Cordelia; brothers Boyd Didrickson and Gerald Didrickson, both of Sitka; half-brother John James of Juneau; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Tom Gamble, Ernie Karras, Rick Richter, Ralph Jones, Dr. Elliot Bruhl and Jude Pate.
Honorary pallbearers are Kendall Didrickson, Tyler Jennum, Boyd Didrickson, Zane Bacon, Carl Lindstrom and Vickie Slade.
