Donald Erving Ramsey

grandfather and great grandfather as well as an educator, friend and mentor to many.

He was born on October 20, 1935 in Chamberlain, South Dakota to Raymond and Mildred (Gust) Ramsey.

At the age of 13 Don’s family moved from Pukwana, South Dakota to Wahsington and eventually settled in the Yakima Valley in search of a better lifestyle and education. Don went to Wapato High School where he played basketball. His interest in sports continued through his life by going to as many grand childrens’ sports and events as possible.

While in high school, Don worked at the Chinook Hotel. He started as a bell boy, then worked in the dining room and quickly moved up to management. He had fond memories of working there and used the money he earned to buy a shiny black early 1950’s Ford soft top convertible. His mom told him he’d never be able to pay it off, but with dedication and hard work, he did.

He attended two years at Yakima Valley Community College. While there he got up enough nerve to ask a beautiful girl to a dance. She said yes, and that was the beginning of a wonderful life with Joan Lydin. They married August 31, 1957 and spent 59 years together before her passing in 2016. After YVCC, Don continued his education at Central Washington University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education. He taught math and history while pursuing his masters in Elementary Administration. He finished out his career as an elementary principal at Castlevale, Hoover, Barge Lincoln, and Whitney Elementary before retiring in 1989.

In his retirement years Don and Joan traveled in their motorhome from Alaska to the Baja, and all states west of the Mississippi. They enjoyed going with their travel group to many places throughout North America and Europe as well. But his favorite place to relax was Priest Lake Idaho where he vacationed for 50+ years with family and friends. He was a huckleberry picking warrior who converted coffee tins into picking cans to maximize the harvest. He always teased the family that if you eat the huckleberry pie you must pick the berries, so there were many purple fingertips on our lake trips.

We often thought Don would have loved living in the 1800’s because he thrived from living off the land. If he hunted it, or fished it, or grew it in his garden, it was meant to be eaten and shared with family and friends. That included the pheasant from the lower valley and South Dakota, the dear from Montana, and the salmon from the Columbia River.

Don got great joy from being a conservationist and leaving a gentle footprint wherever he was. His children and grandchildren remember him combing the beach at Priest Lake picking up random cigarette butts and pop cans before we pulled out of our campsite. In these ways, he taught us far more than we ever knew in that moment. For that, we are eternally grateful for the man he was!

He is survived by his daughters Jill Cofano, Gail (Jimmy) Buchanan; son Sherman Ramsey; Sister Connie Valadez; and 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife Joan (Lydin) Ramsey, his parents Ray and Mildred Ramsey, brother Richard Ramsey, and daughter Julie Dee Keller.

A service will be held August 19, 2022 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, 2:00 PM. 3001 Terrace Heights Dr.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Ramsey family.