Albert “Al” Duane Armfield, age 79, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, with his family at his side.    He was born May 5, 1931 in Mount Vernon, Washington to Raymond and Erie Jane (London) Armfield.

Al grew up in Mount Vernon and later moved with his family to the Samish area near Sedro-Woolley.  Al has resided in Sedro-Woolley for most of his life except for a period of 15 years when he worked in southeastern Alaska.   He worked as a logger in the timber industry for many logging companies in Washington and Alaska.  He was a high climbing tree rigger for most of his logging career.  He even participated in logging shows in Washington and Oregon in his early years, as a speed-climbing tree-topper.

Al was married to Shirley Mae Allen on March 4, 1950 in Sedro-Woolley and they just celebrated their 61^st anniversary.  He was a devoted husband and loving father to his four girls.   He enjoyed fixing and painting cars and could fix almost anything; he was considered an all around “fix-it” man by his family.  Al enjoyed making furniture in his later years and the best times of his life were when he worked and fished in Alaska.  He enjoyed building his own 18 ft. fishing boat.

He took pride in his yard, driveway and garden and just last year he still cut, split, and stacked a logging truck load of wood in a month’s time.  In previous years, he could “get it done” in shorter lengths of time. He did this every year for several years.  Al was known as a hard worker and never knew a stranger and was always willing to help others.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mae Armfield of the family home in Sedro-Woolley.  3 daughters, Karen Adams and her husband Phillip of Sedro-Woolley, Joyce Bryant and her husband Richard of Hoquiam, and Debbie Fernie and her husband Mike of Sedro-Woolley; his former son-in-law, Pete Delacruz of Sedro-Woolley.  9 grandchildren; Shirley Pettigrew, Phillip “Butch” Adams, Dennis Bryant, Lisa Jones, Rachael Schaut, Heather Pagnossin, Michael Fernie, Kenneth Sweeney, and Albert Jorgensen.  17 great-grandchildren, and 1-great-great-grandson,  his brother, William R. “Bill” Armfield of Sedro-Woolley, a brother-in-law Wes Allen and his wife Peggy, and many nieces and nephews.  Al was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Lynne Armfield, and a brother Raymond Van Armfield.

The family suggests that donations be made in Al’s name to the Life Care Center of Sedro Woolley or a charity of your choice.

At Al’s request there are to be no services.   His arrangements and cremation are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.