Donald M. Garoutte

He is survived by his three children, Renee Rooker (Jeff Scott) of Walla Walla, WA, Karen (Dave) Mitchum and Jim Garoutte of Yakima, WA, 17 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren, his brother LeRoy Garoutte of Prosser, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his spouse, Betty Jo (Graham) Garoutte, his parents, two sisters and two brothers.

Don was born on July 11, 1927 in Kendrick, ID, to Dovie (Chancellor) and James Henry Garoutte. In 1930, the family moved to the Whitstran/Sunnyside area of Washington State. They were share croppers and eventually purchased their own farm. Don grew up helping on the family farm and made many friends throughout his schoolyears; graduating from Prosser High School in 1945. Don liked to return to the grade school and high school reunions to visit and keep up with old friends. As a child he wanted to be a rodeo cowboy, and after graduation he worked various farm jobs during the week and on the weekends rode broncos at rodeos across the Pacific Northwest. Don served in the Army, 45th DIV 180 INF 2nd Plat. where he served as a sniper in the Korean War from 1951-1952. During a firefight he was hit, and after digging the shrapnel from his chest, he courageously continued fighting. In June of 2015, Don was chosen to participate in the Honor Flight that recognizes American Veterans by taking them to Washington DC to tour the war memorials. An honor made sweeter by being joined on the flight by two longtime friends and fellow veterans.

Upon returning from the war, he went home to Prosser and met his sweetheart, Betty Jo Graham on a blind date. They were married March 25, 1955. A hardworking couple who also loved to have fun, they spent many days in the forest and on lakes, camping, hunting and fishing, making a treasure trove of memories for their kids and grandkids.

A savvy businessman, Don opened a Philips 66 service station in Prosser. After he sold the service station, he began selling quality tools to mechanics and service centers in Spokane and areas of Northern Idaho. His success in Northern Idaho led to a transfer to Yakima and later he started selling trucks for Lynch Motors. In the late 1960’s, he purchased semi-trucks and started driving. This began the career that he concluded at Noel Transport, retiring in 1990.

For a long time, Don had thought of making all of the states by motorcycle and over the course of the next several years, he and Betty Jo rode to 49 states, through all the provinces of Canada, to Mexico three times and to the tip of Baja where they camped on the beach. In 2004, they visited Hawaii, completing the dream of touring all 50 states. They rode more than 300,000 miles to complete these tours. He believed that you should never go back the same way you came, taking a different route every time, and seeing as much of the country as possible. Don was lovingly known by his family and friends as the ultimate DIYer and jack of all trades, taking time to create a part rather than running down to the store and buying a replacement. His creativity and extensive knowledge of mechanics came in handy as he often had a motorcycle or another vehicle in his shop, doing repairs and customizations for himself, family and his buddies.

Don is a lifetime member and leader in the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and in 1998 earned the SaddleSore 1000 award from the Iron Butt Association. He was also a member and leader in the Terrific Truckers Association, Lions Club of Naches, V.F.W. of Prosser and Yakima, Eagles Club of Prosser and Yakima and the Elks Club of Yakima. His membership in the Central Washington Travelers Club resulted in many adventures in his R.V. Don believed in being active in his community, building friendships everywhere he went.

A great friend, Don was always having coffee and visiting at home or on the road. When friends came to visit, they always received an exuberant welcome and a place at his kitchen table, even at 5:30 in the morning. Many of his friends’ kitchen tables knew him as well, since he was known to stop by for a cup of coffee and shoot the breeze. He over wintered in Arizona and made many great friends there as well. He took his motorcycle with him so that he could enjoy riding in the winter months. While in Arizona, his love of riding also included joining buddies in the desert on quads.

Don was very proud of and loyal to his family. He was an encouraging fan of his kids and grandkids sporting events. He attended many games across Washington State to watch grandchildren and great grandchildren compete at the highest levels of school sports.

Don will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the open road. He went by horse, truck and motorcycle, and as he said himself, he loved nothing better than riding. But for now, his traveling boots had “better mosey on home”…

Visitation will be at Keith & Keith Funeral Home on Friday, March 4, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 5, 2016 at 2pm at West Valley Church of the Nazarene in Yakima, WA. Military Honors will be provided by the Yakima VFW. Memorials may be given in Don’s name to the National Rifle Association.

To share a memory of Don, please visit www.keithandkeith.com .