Don was born February 23, 1929 in DeKalb Texas to Ones and Amy Marbut. Don attended Hoquiam High School until Don joined the Navy in 1945 when he was 16 years old. While in the Navy Don earned his High School Diploma. In 1947 Don married the love of his life Nancy Burkinshaw on July 19th, in Aberdeen, WA. Don and Nancy had a wonderful life together and raised five beautiful children.
Don had many jobs; he worked on a log boom for Rayonier Company and later he became a milkman for Firdland Dairy, located in the Wishkah Valley. Don also had his own Dairy Farm in the Wynooche Valley. In Don’s off time he would go hunting with his sons, son-in-laws, brothers and nephews to Eastern WA. Hunting trips were full of laughter, poker and wild stories, occasionally they would bring home a buck.
In the late 70’s he went to work for Dairygold as a delivery man to grocery stores. When Darigold transferred to Olympia so did Don and Nancy. Don retired from Darigold in 1988, and after retirement Don and Nancy moved to Mossyrock, WA., where Don and Nancy enjoyed the beautiful view of Mt. Rainer, Rife Lake and Swofford Pond. Many family gatherings were spent on the lake in Mossyrock. Nancy passed away November 1990.
In 1991 Don Married Eutha Lowery and they continued to live in Mossyrock. While living in Mossyrock Don rehabbed old buildings and old tractors. Don’s family dubbed him, unofficially of course, “the mayor” of Mossyrock. You could find Don fishing off of his boat in Rife Lake, and boating with family. Don helped to build The Mossyrock Assembly of God Church which he was also a member of.
Nobody could make a deal like Don. There are times his family swears that when going to buy a new vehicle the dealerships actually paid him to take them. Don had the Midas touch. Don could find a good deal anytime, anywhere. 2017 brought on another change when Don and Eutha decided to move to the Capital Retirement Center. Don enjoyed his weekly poker games with the other residents at the retirement center. In 2018 Eutha passed away and Don went to live with his daughter, Donann, until his death in September.
Don left a legacy to his children and grandchildren by example of hard work, kindness, having fun, and the importance of family. The kids are still trying to learn how to make money like Don, some of them have figured it out. Some of them are still working on that skill. Don will be missed for his stories of deals he made, his laugh and calling his kids and grandkids “Love.” Don is survived by his five children: Linda (Dave) Ridgway, Wishkah Valley, Bruce Marbut, Napavine, Jody (Jim) Harris, Wishkah Valley, Donann Lake, Willipa Valley, and Dane Marbut, Shelton. Don had nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He also had five step children.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Nancy, his grandson Brent Ridgway, his wife Eutha, his brothers Wayne and Alan Marbut, his sisters Marie Tuckfield and Myrtle Burton.
Don will be missed! His family will continue the family traditions and talk of him often reliving the stories so that the future generations never forget what a great man our Dad and Grandpa was. His family was blessed to call Don ours.
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