Obituaries: Dwight Olin Stapleton (July 26, 1949 – July 7, 2011)

Services for Dwight will be at 1 p.m., July 26, 2011, at Eagle Point National Cemetery 2763 Riley Road, Eagle Point, Ore.

Dwight, who was 61, passed away July 7, 2011, at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, Ore. He was born July 26, 1949, in Oroville, Calif.

Dwight was a Petty Officer Third Class, Navy Special Forces River Assault Flotilla One, serving in Dong Tam, Vietnam, from 1969 to ’70. Honors: National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and Presidential Unit citation.

Dwight lived in Reno, Nev., from 1981 to 2002, where he owned Precision Motorsports. He enjoyed motocross racing, rock hunting, gold mining, hiking, camping and fishing. He moved to Crescent City in 2002. He loved this community and the friendly people. He often said everyone feels like family.

Dwight is survived by his wife Valerie of 42 years of Crescent City, son Dwight Jr. of Crescent City, son Christopher, his wife Amy and granddaughter Grace of Reno, Nev., stepfather Dell Tarter of Portland, Ore., sister Pam Peterson of Oroville, Calif., sister Brenda Stapleton of Marysville, Calif., brother Bruce Tarter of Chico, Calif., brother Richard Tarter of Snohomish, Wash., and brother Roger Harding of Woodville, Texas.

Dwight’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community for its kindness and support during his long illness.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to: Jan Martin, Troop Support, PO Box 876, Crescent City, CA 95531, or Soroptimist International of Crescent City, Memorial Scholarship fund, PO Box 991, Crescent City, CA 95531.

— Submitted by Family