Dwight Jimmy Hastings

Lifelong local resident Dwight Jimmy Hastings, 80, of Longview passed away March 16, 2024, at the Richard Nau Hospice House in Longview.

He was born Aug. 15, 1943, in Longview to Howard and Dorothy (Jordan) Hastings. Dwight worked at the Longview Restaurant after school, and graduated with the Kelso High School Class of 1963.

Dwight’s sister Joyce introduced him to high school junior Betty Kerbaugh at the roller skating rink. They were married in her parents’ living room in 1965.

He served in the Navy aboard the USS Frontier. After his honorable discharge, Dwight went to work at the Longview Fibre paper mill. He retired after 40 years as a recovery furnace operator in 2004.

Dwight and Betty enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states, and touring Europe. He looked forward to coffee with his buddies at Mr. Bill’s and lunches with his retired Fibre friends. Dwight was a history buff and loved animals. He enjoyed a good sense of humor, and was known to laugh the hardest at his own jokes.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Hastings at home; three children, Oney Hastings of Longview, and D.J. Hastings (Marjorie) and Ayrian Hastings (Erik), both of Renton, Wash.; five siblings, Norman, Darlene, Joyce, Howard and Helen; and three grandsons, Braxton Wanner, and Luke and Aidan Hastings.

A celebration of Dwight’s life with military honors is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. April 6 at the Cowlitz Valley Moose Lodge, 921 Washington Way, in Longview. A light luncheon will be served.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Cowlitz County, P.O. Box 172, Longview, WA 98632 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.