Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Myron James Darr, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2009 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon at the age of 88. Myron lived a very full life. He was a man of his word. He "always tried to do his best" and had a strong work ethic. He was courteous, loving, respectful, and fair. He laughed often and his positive spirit touched everyone around him. He lived his values and ideals everyday, guided by a strong sense of character, moral principles, decency, and a belief in the importance of kindness. He had a warm sense of humor and deep respect for others. He was loved and admired by family and friends. Myron was born, at home, in New Washington, Ohio on September 14, 1920, the second child of his parents, Charles and Treva Darr. He attended school in New Washington, graduating from high school in 1939. Always a hard worker, Myron spent his younger years helping in his dad's barber shop, sweeping floors and preparing customers for their shave. It was there, watching his father and brother cut hair that his love for barbering began. Myron enlisted in the United States Navy on October 22, 1942. He served in the South Pacific as a Yeoman 1st Class, arriving in Pearl Harbor on Christmas Day of 1942. By the flip of a coin, he was allowed to return to the mainland, where his next duty station was at the Naval Air Station in Arlington, Washington. In October, of 1944, after a few days in Arlington, he obtained a pass to Everett, Washington, where he went to the roller skating rink for the evening. As a result, he met the young lady who would eventually become his "darling" wife. He described meeting Arlene as "one of the greatest things that ever happened in his life". He married Arlene Wangsmo on November 16, 1945 at The Little White Church on the Hill in Silvana, Washington. This November, he and Arlene would have celebrated 64 years of marriage. In 1947, Myron attended the Moler Barber College in Seattle, before moving back to Ohio to begin his barbering career with his father and brother. Upon returning to Mount Vernon in October 1950, Myron opened Darr's Barber Shop on Riverside Drive where he worked until 1988. Retiring after 41 years as a barber, he was proud that "he had never missed a single day due to illness and never had a day that he didn't have a customer". He loved his work and thoroughly enjoyed his customers. Many of them became life-long friends. Although he officially retired in 1988, he continued cutting hair up until one week ago, for a total of nearly 59 years. During his years in Mount Vernon, he volunteered his time and efforts to many community activities. He was a Charter Member of the Mount Vernon Sons of Norway, a member of the Elks Lodge, United Commercial Travelers, the American Legion Post 91, and Past Governor of the Loyal Order of Moose #1640 where he was a 50 year member. He worked diligently on the bond committee for the expansion of Skagit Valley Hospital. He also cut hair at local care facilities and would cut the hair of home-bound friends on a regular basis. Myron was a faithful member of Salem Lutheran Church for 58 years. He served on the Church Council, and on many committees. He enjoyed his friends at Friendship Circle. While serving as the head usher, he took great pride in ringing the church bell on Sunday mornings. He and Arlene loved raising their daughter, Myrene, and son, Jim, in Mount Vernon. He cherished his family. Myron added joy, humor, and conversation to every gathering. He always made people feel special and laughed with ease. He was kind, loving, compassionate, disciplined, humble, and a gentle man. He was an historian and story teller, and could recount wonderful events from the past. He kept a daily journal for 35 years, and exercised daily. His "only regret" was that he never learned to swim. Myron made friends easily, and was a great conversationalist. He enjoyed traveling back to Ohio, taking cruises, and visiting their beach cabin on Camano Island. He loved sports, (especially the Mariners), and entertaining and visiting with family and friends. His smile, quick wit, and the sparkle in his eye will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Myron was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Weldon; son-in-law Larry Moller; father and mother in-law, John and Anna Wangsmo; brothers-in-law, Arnold and Kenneth Wangsmo; sister-in-law Lucille Wangsmo; and niece, Jan Eicher. In addition to Arlene, his wife of 63 years, he is survived by his daughter, Myrene Moller of Burlington; son, Jim Darr (Penny) of Mill Creek ; grandchildren, Krissa Moller Lomsdalen (Brian), Jeffrey Moller (Jillian), James Hayton (Kennedi), and Lauren Hayton Peterson (Tyler); great-grandchildren Kailey Lomsdalen and Henry Peterson; sisters-in-law Ruth Darr and Marilyn McDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews. We extend our thanks and appreciation to our many special friends. We also appreciated the kindness of his doctors, including Dr. Jennifer Benson, Dr. Jeffery Feld, Dr. Tianna Tsitsis, and Dr. Kirk Brownell, along with his exceptional nurses. We are so thankful for you. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at Hawthorne Lawn Memorial Park. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 North LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon, Washington. In lieu of flowers, suggested remembrances in Myron's name include the Salem Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund or a charity of your choice.