Weeks' Funeral Homes - Enumclaw, Buckley and Tacoma, WA: vaults, caskets, cremation, cemeteries, funerals, urns

Staff Directory | Family Owned Vs. Chains

Staff Directory

Our funeral directors take great pride in the service and comfort that they offer to local families. Their service to our community does not end at the funeral home; they are involved in the betterment of the community through their activities in local charities, organizations, schools and community boards.

Duane Weeks, Ph.D., CFSP, FT

Duane and his sons own and operate seven funeral homes in the Puget Sound area. He appreciates the unique privilege of watching his children continue the family tradition of helping our neighbors through the trauma death brings to their lives.

The Weeks family operates its businesses successfully by providing compassion, integrity, and value to their clients. Early in life, Duane was taught that people are more important than profit, and this lesson has been passed on to his family and employees.

As a youngster, Duane lived in Parkland, Washington, where he graduated from Franklin Pierce High School and began to learn about funeral service from his friends at Dryer Mortuary. Following graduation from the University of Puget Sound, he taught secondary school English in the early 1960s before turning to funeral service.

A licensed funeral director for 50 years, Duane has owned and operated funeral homes since 1966. He was honored by his peers in 1996, when he was selected as Washington State Funeral Director of the Year and again, in 2002, when he was presented with a Career Achievement Award, both from the Washington State Funeral Directors' Association.

Duane and his wife, Fay, have lived in the Enumclaw/Buckley area since 1966. They are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw. Duane continues his membership in the Enumclaw Kiwanis Club, having served in varied community activities including the hospital foundation board and the Enumclaw School Board, where he was past president. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the Association of Death Education and Counseling.

In 1985, Duane's interest in death education led him to begin graduate schooling in Sociology. After earning his Master's degree from Pacific Lutheran University, his formal education culminated when he completed his doctorate at the University of Minnesota in 1994. In 1999, Dr. Weeks retired as director of New England Institute at Mount Ida College, a small liberal arts school in Newton, Massachusetts.

An international speaker, Duane is the author of dozens of articles and book chapters with topics ranging from general grief and bereavement to the importance of death rituals. He is co-editor of the seminal book on long-term caring for survivors, "When All the Friends Have Gone: A Guide for Aftercare Providers."

Russ Weeks, CFSP

A Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and President of Weeks' Funeral Homes, Russ was born and raised in Enumclaw, WA. After graduating from Enumclaw High School, he received a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Puget Sound and an Associates degree in funeral service education from Mt. Hood Community College. In 1990 Russ returned to Enumclaw and joined the family firm. He is the only two-term President of the Washington State Funeral Directors' Association and was voted Washington's Funeral Director of the Year in 2002. Russ and his wife Kelley (also an Enumclaw native) have 3 children, Corissa, Trevor, and Ryan. They are active members of Wabash Presbyterian Church and believe their most important responsibility is to introduce their children to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Doug Weeks, CPA

Doug is a CPA and Vice President of Weeks' Funeral Homes. He is a graduate of Enumclaw High School, the University of Puget Sound, and the University of Washington. After a short time as a software engineer, he joined the family business in 1989 and became a CPA in 1993. Doug spent ten years as the treasurer of Encouragement Counseling Services, a non-profit, Christian counseling service in South King County. He also plays euphonium in the Gateway Concert Band. He and his wife, Rhonda and son, Owen, currently live in North Tacoma.

Chastin Brinkley

The General Manager of Weeks' Funeral Homes, Chastin has been in the funeral service industry since 1989 and a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1993. He is a graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service with an Applied Science Degree in Funeral Service. He is also a member of the American Society of Embalmers and Church of Christ. In his spare time Chastin enjoys spending time with his wife, Jodale, scuba diving, the outdoors and photography.

Rich Chambers

Rich is the Crematory Technician at Weeks' Funeral Homes. He graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1966, and then served in the US Marines during the Vietnam War. After 30 years with Teamsters, Rich decided on a second career, joining the staff at Weeks' Funeral Home in 2002. Rich enjoys golf, spending time with his children, grandchildren and quality time with his wife Peggy.

Donna Kelly

Donna is the Office Manager and an Intern Funeral Director for Weeks' Funeral Homes. She joined the staff in 1990. Donna is an active member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Buckley and enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially her granddaughter, Ava.

Karla Weeks McCowin

Karla Weeks McCowin joined the family firm in 1991 and has worked as a Pre-need Coordinator and is now our Reception Coordinator. She is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she serves on the Trinity Lutheran Preschool Board of Directors and leads the senior citizens social club. Karla and her husband, Peter, are parents to Zach and Katie and enjoy snow skiing and sailing as a family.

Tony Ruiz

Tony has been in the Funeral Service Industry since 1999 and joined Weeks' Funeral Homes in December of 2008. He is a graduate of Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington as well as Wisdom for Life School of Ministry in Tacoma, Washington. Along with his wife, Angie, they have two sons, Ryder and Hunter. They are active members of Puyallup Foursquare Church, where Tony is the Drama Director. Tony's theatrical experience has been seen at the, former, Puyallup Amphitheatre where he portrayed the role of "Jesus" for many years in the long running, passion play "Jesus of Nazareth". In his spare time he enjoys writing, directing, acting, boating, camping, fishing and being with his family. Tony is passionate about helping people in their time of need, and considers it an honor be able to hold their hand through the funeral process.

Karen Mayhew Strecker

Karen is the secretary at Weeks' Enumclaw Funeral Home. She joined the staff in 2009. Karen and her husband Brad have two children, Kaitlin and Cameron. She enjoys her kid's sports and activities, quilting, and time with friends and family. She is an active member of Design Christian Church in Maple Valley, running the guest services table most Sundays.

Greg Phillips

Greg joined Weeks' Funeral Homes in February 2010 as an Intern Funeral Director. He brings over 30 years of customer service and management experience. Serving and helping people is his passion.
Along with his wife, Debbie, they have 3 children, Nicholas, Lauren and Cameron. They enjoy their home and property in Enumclaw. Having their children grow up in a good community is important. Greg enjoys working around there small farm and pampering their horses and other farm animals.

Joe Tommasi

Joe grew up in a traditional Italian, Catholic family. He
attended Kent Ridge High School, Green River Community College and later the University of Washington. Joe has been in Funeral Service since 1996 and has considerable experience in all facets of the business. Joe is a member of the Sons of Italy and West Side Italian Club.