Michael Dennis Packer

Dufur

1951 — 2022

Michael Dennis Packer was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Wayne Hyrum Packer and Gladys Lord Packer in 1951.

He grew up in Clarkston, Washington, and graduated from Clarkston High School in 1969.

He died April 1, at age 71, of lymphoma/leukemia cancer in his home in Dufur, surrounded by his children, sister, family and close friends.

He had three siblings, Richard Packer, who died March 2, 1967, Robert Packer, who died May 7, 2019, and his sister, Patricia Peters, who resides in Blaine, Washington, and is the last surviving sibling.

He leaves behind his ex-wife of 32 years, Debra Packer; three grown children, Jeremy Packer (Kristi), of Goldendale, Washington, Jessica Packer Mead (Ben), of The Dalles, and Joshua Robert Packer of Dufur; and five grandkids, Riley Mead (10) and Lily Mead (5) of The Dalles and Avery Packer (8), Kaleb Packer (11/2) and Skyler Packer, born June 21, 2022, all of Goldendale.

He also left behind a niece, Mindy Virgen (Oscar) of Blaine, and great-nephews Jacob and Isaac Virgen; nephew Tyler Peters (Mattie) of Bellingham; niece, Shelby, and great-nephew, Toryn, of Omak, Washington; niece, Kayla Nunn (Doug) of Cashmere, Washington, and great-nephew Neo; and niece, Sarah Packer.

He started in the camera department at Wasem’s Drug Store in Clarkson when in high school. He loved photography, and had his own camera shop, Michael’s Camera Center, in Lewiston, Idaho.

Besides photography, Michael was involved in the culinary field as an executive chef at several restaurants in Lynnwood, Washington (Snoqualmie Pass), and Parkdale, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart and The Dalles.

He was also involved with The JayCees and city council in Clarkston, and fundraisers for Seaside school sports and band programs, as well as to get new equipment for the schools. He was in the PTA at Broadway Middle School and Seaside High School, and assisted with several school functions for his kids that included family nights, carnivals and karaoke events.

A celebration of life is being held from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Columbia Portage Grill, Shilo Inns The Dalles, 3223 Bret Clodfelter Way in The Dalles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the celebration of life event, The Dalles Little League Association, the Goldendale Little League Association and culinary arts programs in Seaside and The Dalles.

Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you, until we meet again.

“I love you … all the days.”