Donald "Don" Andrew Forgey

Donald Andrew Forgey began his eternal journey July 3, 2025, after a courageous and silent battle with leukemia. Don left this earth surrounded by his loved ones at his lifelong home on Lucky F Ranch, more recently known as American Homestead.

Don was born in Yakima on January 31, 1953, to Lawrence and Celia Forgey, the 4th of 5 children. Don attended and graduated from Naches Valley High School. Don grew up in the Yakima Valley and moved to the Lucky F Ranch at the age of 8 where he thoroughly enjoyed roaming the hills playing cowboys and Indians with his brothers, riding their stick horses and playing with toy guns made of anything they could imagine, where he said the best part about stick horses was, “You can throw one down and pick another one up on your way.”

Don told many stories of walking the roads between the ranch and Naches collecting cans and exchanging them for money to purchase candy he would eat on his trek back to the ranch. At the young age of 18, Don began playing music at Whistlin’ Jack Lodge and shortly thereafter started a band, Bazooka Joe. The band traveled throughout Pacific Northwest and Canada “touring” and got a little taste of fame. These band members became lifelong friends and sparked his music career. After the band moved on their separate ways, Don returned to the Nile Valley and began playing at Whistlin’ Jack Lodge again, where he met his wife, Kathy, and he says it was “Love at first sight.” Little did he know she had snuck in to see him play at the young age of 18. They fell in love and were married in 1981.

Don continued his music career moving to Nashville in 1986. In 1989, Don, Kathy and their daughter Tiffany, moved back to the Yakima Valley where Jon was born shortly thereafter. Don continued performing in various locations including El Cid’s, Ichabods, Eagle Rock, Gold Creek, VFW, among many others with the longest standing location of Whistlin Jack Lodge of 27 years where he met many friends. Don was a legend that will be missed by many. Don lit up any room that he entered and was truly the best entertainer with a contagious smile and a flirtatious growl through the microphone while singing various originals and covers. Don truly enjoyed entertaining people, and his beautiful blue eyes and beautiful smile will be missed by so many friends and fans.

Although Don loved to entertain and perform, his home on the ranch was his happiest place on earth. Don referred to the ranch as “Heaven on Earth.” He loved to work in the field and mow and simply just “be.” You could find Don sitting by the river, sitting on the hill amongst the trees or hanging with his family enjoying his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren truly filled his cup. Don felt most at peace when he was home, and that is where his final resting place will be.

The mountain will never be the same, his family will never be the same, a man as incredible as Don cannot be replaced or forgotten. We have peace knowing he is with the Lord now, and we will all see him again one day!

Don was preceded in death by his father Lawrence Forgey, mother Celia Forgey (Crider), his sister Donna Forgey, and his brother Gary Forgey.

Don leaves behind his loving wife of 44 years, Kathy, daughter Tiffany (Matthew) Hanshew and granddaughter Madalyn, son Jon (Makayla) Forgey and grandson Colt, brother Bill (Shelly) Forgey, and brother Terry Forgey, as well as many nieces and nephews that loved him very much.

The family thanks you all for your kind words yet asks for space during this unimaginable loss as we learn to navigate life without an amazing person! Thank you for respecting our space.

A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, beginning at 1:00 PM at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W Yakima Ave, in Yakima.