Woodinville Firefighter Matt Durham has passed away. Durham was also a photojournalist whose photos appeared in many Seattle newspapers. Durham was chief photographer to the West Seattle Herald for many years.

UPDATE:

A Memorial Service has been announced for Woodinville Firefighter Matthew Durham. Durham died on December 30 after a short battle with Melanoma Cancer related to his work as a firefighter. A public memorial service is planned for Saturday January 8th at 1:00 p.m. The service will be held at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, WA. The service will feature a fire service honor guard and Eastside Pipes and Drums. The public is welcome to attend the service and show their support to the Durham family and the Woodinville Fire & Rescue District.

# # #

Address for Overlake Christian Church
9900 Willows Road
Redmond, WA

Media will be granted full access to the service. A static processional of emergency vehicles will be on-site. (A static processional is where emergency vehicles are staged in the parking lot and the deceased and family arrive and drive past the vehicles as they arrive.) For additional media coordination, please contact David Weed at the numbers above.

Woodinville Fire & Rescue Department:

Woodinville Fire & Rescue experienced its first ever line of duty death when Firefighter Matthew Durham lost a courageous battle with duty-related cancer on December 30, 2010. Durham, a 45 year old, 15-year fire service veteran, was married to Elaine, and was father of Jack, 11, and Sam, 9. He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.


Firefighter Durham grew up in California, and earned a degree in photojournalism from San Jose State University.  He worked as chief photographer for the West Seattle Herald for several years prior to and during his job with Woodinville Fire. His photos have appeared in all of the major newspapers in the Seattle area.  With Woodinville, Firefighter Durham’s many career highlights include his participation on the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force as the Hazardous Material Team Leader, and as Acting Lieutenant at Fire Station 34 in the Kingsgate area. 

Firefighter Durham’s diagnosis came as a shock to many that knew him, especially based on his long commitment to health and fitness. In addition to running and finishing a marathon, Durham completed the Firefighter Stair Climb at the Columbia Tower on a number of occasions.

Firefighter Durham was known throughout the region for his infectious laugh and quick wit. According to fellow firefighter Liz Downs, “Matt Durham was the most fun, energetic and honest person you will ever meet.”  Woodinville Fire Chief David Daniels said of Durham, “Matt was an inspiration to all with whom he worked. He loved his family and his role as firefighter; he demonstrated tremendous integrity and courage as he battled cancer. We’re going to miss him.”

Donations can be made to the Woodinville Firefighters Benevolent Fund, the Matt Durham Family Trust at any Bank of America branch, or at www.donate1dollartostopcancer.com.