December 7, 1954 - November 24, 2017

Don was born in Tacoma, WA, raised in Seattle, and graduated with a degree in Forestry from the University of Washington (a proud Husky).  He spent 30 happy years watching the planting & growth of baby trees on thousands of acres, making many lifelong friends while doing so.  His career started in Longview, WA, & ended in Sedro Woolley, WA.  

In 2010, Don had an aortic valve replacement.  Complications kept him from returning to the woods, but he was able to become a research assistant for the small fruit program with a professor (& future friend), originally at the WSU NW Research & Extension Center in Mt. Vernon, WA.  It gave him a chance to use his knowledge in a new direction, & see the results of his work in a matter of months, rather than waiting decades.

Don was always learning, constantly thinking about how to better accomplish whatever project(s) he was working on; often thinking outside the “box”.  He loved science & science fiction, technology, aviation, current events, nature, & people (especially children)...  He liked to share his thoughts with others & gain knowledge from those around him.

He was a Boy Scout & Explorer Scout as a youth, later joining the Search & Rescue Team.  He spent  time as a Reserve Sheriff in Cowlitz Co., & spent several years as an active member of the WA Friends of Farm & Forestry.  He was involved in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, WA, later becoming a member of Bethany Covenant Church in Mt. Vernon, WA.  He was active in the men's breakfast Bible study group, his church home group, & helped with meals at the Friendship House with other church friends.

Don had a giant heart.  He had a smile for everybody, a listening ear, & a giving spirit. He loved to laugh & to make others laugh, sometimes through a good-hearted prank or a well-played surprise.

His family was the most important thing in his life.  His faith only increased this love.  He was fond of telling people that fathers have a special life long bond with their little girls.  Perhaps, the only thing that might have topped that was becoming a grandfather.  His grandchildren were his biggest source of pride.

He leaves behind his best friend & wife, Julie.  His oldest daughter Catherine (Brandon) Lockhart & children Aiden, Lana, Ronin, & Sheena in Clayton, NC, & his younger daughter Kim (David) Chapman, her son Ethan, & another granddaughter, Sadie, due to arrive in February, in Monroe, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Al & Jerry (Geraldine), & sister Liz (Elizabeth) Wallace, & is survived by his brother Rob, all from Seattle, WA.

A celebration of Don's life will be held on December 16th at 1:00, at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 South 18th Street , Mt Vernon, WA.  His ashes will be placed at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle, & scattered in places he loved.  Arrangements were made through A Sacred Moment Funeral Service, Everett, WA.  Please sign Don's online guestbook in the Condolences area below.

DONATIONS

There is a memorial account for his grandchildren at BECU (#3607874703), in his wife's name.

Surely goodness & mercy shall follow me all the days of my life & I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalms 23:6

"Life is a voyage that's homeward bound."  (Melville)

Tributes

Grandpa’s Gone to Heaven

One quiet day the angels came

And took grandpa far away

But in the stillness of the night

I could almost hear him say.

“Dear grandchild, I will miss you

You mean so much to me

But Jesus called me to His side

In Heaven I will be.

A place of God’s great beauty

No tears or earthly cares

Only peace and joy forever

And love beyond compare.

So remember all the good times

Don’t think about the sad.

Treasure all the special moments

Through the years we’ve always had.

And if you trust in Jesus

I can promise this and more

You will get a hug from grandpa

Someday on Heaven’s golden shore."

- J. Morse

The Family Tree (modified)

A limb has fallen from the family tree

I hear a voice that whispers, 'Grieve not for me'

Remember the best times, the laughter, the songs

The good I lived while I was strong

Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you

Keep on smiling, the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest

Remembering all... how I was truly blessed

Continue traditions, no matter how small

Go on with your lives, never doubt I loved you all

I planted many seeds and trees you know

But it's the Father God who makes them grow.