Sherman Daryl Birney

Sherman “Daryl” Birney was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Anderson, Missouri, to Harold Wellington Birney and Elna Leona Mae Wade, the youngest of five children.

He was raised in Bucklin, Kansas, and graduated from Bucklin High School. He attended Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas, and transferred to Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Colorado State

University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In 1970, he moved to Astoria to work as a clinical psychologist for the mental health system in Clatsop County. In 1985, he opened a full-time private practice, and continued working until a few months prior to his death, when ill health forced his retirement.

He was a member of the Astoria Clowns, the Astoria Rotary Club, was a past president, and often talked about participating in “Rotary Revues,” which were held for entertainment and as fundraising events. He served on the Astoria School Board for 10 years and was a Warrenton Planning Commission member. He enjoyed golf, playing bridge, Civil War history, and was an avid sports fan, able to recite many baseball and football players’ names and statistics from memory.

He married Regina Edwards in 1963; they later divorced. He married Carole Smith in 1982; she survives, living in Hammond. Other survivors include a brother, Gerald (Arlene) Birney of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; a sister-in-law, Darlene Birney of Kinsley, Kansas; two daughters, Julia Birney of Kahului, Hawaii, and Erin (JJ) Amos of West Linn, Oregon; three sons, James (Angela) Birney of Coffeyville, Kansas, Brett Morris of Hammond, Oregon, and Justin (Elissa) Morris of Portland, Oregon; five grandchildren, Abigail and Claire Morris, Jace and Alexa Amos and Darah (Gage) Miller; two great-grandchildren, Ayva French and Isabelle Miller; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Twila Mondy; brothers, Orland Birney and Clinton Birney; and a grandchild, Nicole Birney.

A reception to honor Daryl’s life will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at 1 p.m., at the Astoria Elks Lodge.

A graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria will be private.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Astoria High School Athletics, 1001 W. Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103.

The family wishes to thank Lower Columbia Hospice staff for their caring help and support, which brought comfort to Daryl and his family during this difficult time.