May 15, 1933 – February 12, 2020
Donald was born in Riverton (Coos County) Oregon to Pearl and George Huther. He lived in Oregon through High School and after graduating worked at the Tillamook Cheese Company with his older brother Richard. He then joined the Navy in 1952 and proudly served as a Medical Corpsman providing health care to the Fleet Marine Force. He is Korean Veteran. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he served in the Navy Reserve and went back to school and graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon in 1961 and went on to graduate from Colorado State University in 1966 with a Masters degree in Microbiology. He began his career working as a Research and Development Microbiologist at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL He retired in 1989. He moved to Fresno, CA in the late 1990's to enjoy his retirement away from the cold Illinois winters.
He was a kind man and had a soft heart especially for his grandchildren and the downtrodden. He would give his clothes and warm jackets to the homeless on the street and would never intentionally hurt anyone’s feelings. He had a great sense of humor albeit dry.
Although he never had any children, he considered all his stepchildren as his own and that is how they are referred to. He is survived by his wife devoted and loving Lana Huther, son Kevin Hunter (Kelly), daughter Jennifer Mullins (Greg), daughter Kim Van Horn (Tom); and by his grandchildren Jillian and Maren Hunter; Julianna Crow (Lane), Trent and Katrina Buckholz, Ariyas, Liam Mullins and Emilee Gizowski.
He is predeceased by his brother, Richard Huther, who tragically passed away at 21 in a car accident on the Oregon coast, his beloved first wife Sandra Huther whom he lost to cancer after 17 wonderful years of marriage, his mother Pearl (who passed when he was only 2), stepmother Florence, his father George and various aunts, uncles and cousins.
We would like to thank many caregivers who lovingly took care of him these past few years: Stephanie Blankenship, the caregivers provided by Senior Helpers, as well as Bella Care, Anna and Che Che. We would like to thank his doctor, Dr. Mythe Laramie, Dr. Singh (St. Agnes Hospital), and all the nurses in the E.R. and 4th floor North CICU for their care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity, Mercy Ships, Salvation Army, Help Me See or Catholic Charities.
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