September 11, 1943 – August 1, 2022
Donald Merle West, the second of four sons, was born to Homer and Dorothy West on Sept. 11, 1943, in Wenatchee. On Aug. 1, 2022, at the age of 78, with family at his bedside, he entered Heaven knowing “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.”
His family moved to Moses Lake in 1952 and Don attended the new public schools. He often talked about the fun he had with friends in the Knolls Vista neighborhood. He graduated from Moses Lake High School, Class of ’61, and attended Big Bend Community College.
His dad, Homer, instrumental in starting Little League Baseball in Moses Lake, had the pleasure of watching Don, along with his three brothers play and love baseball. For Don, that led to many more years spent at the baseball diamond as a player, coach, proud parent and grandparent. Along with baseball and sports in general, Don had a deep love for fly fishing in the lakes, streams and rivers of northwestern Montana – a love that continues to this day through his sons and grandchildren.
On July 3, 1966, he and Harriet June Higgins were married in the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church. They had four sons and Don loved supporting them in their activities, events and endeavors.
He was involved in the potato industry as an inspector. He worked as a fieldman for Carnation and then Washington Potato Growers Association. He also worked for Wendy’s when they added the baked potato to their menu, introducing them to area growers. In later years, he worked for Ambitions of Washington as a care giver to developmentally disabled clients.
Don loved music and sang in the bass section of many choirs. One of his favorite memories was singing “Messiah” with the Portland Symphonic Choir. He also loved to listen to Harriet play the piano and organ. He was most supportive and helpful during recitals, as she gave lessons to her students and when she shared music with others.
He spent countless hours doing youth work with Harriet and their sons while at the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Moses Lake Christian Missionary Alliance Church.
During the last 15 years of his life, he endured and overcame many serious and challenging medical issues including multiple bouts with cancer and a sudden cardiac arrest. He was always positive and is a heroic example to many. His favorite sayings were “Life is good!” and “Today is a good day to have a good day!” Family and friends often considered him a walking miracle. During his journey he was blessed with many knowledgeable, caring, and fantastic doctors, specialists and staffs. We gratefully thank them all and especially appreciated the special care he recently received under comfort care at Samaritan Hospital.
He is survived by his wife Harriet and by sons and daughters-in-law Troy (Carrie), Brian, Scott (Shawn) and Cary (Liz), as well as his much-loved grandchildren Jackson, Grace, Joshua, Nicole, Trevor (Alexa), Dominick, Brooke, Emma, Molly, Mitchell, Miles and Maryn and his great grandson, Baylor. His surviving brothers are Bob (Ella) and Thom. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Pete. He dearly loved his sisters-in-law and brothers in-law Allen Higgins, Gail and Glenn Garcelon, Brian Higgins and Pam Clayton, Wendy Higgins and Kevin Haynes, Steve and Karen West and Molly West. He adored his nieces and nephews. Don deeply loved his family and friends and thanked God daily for each blessing.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, at 3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy. In lieu of flowers the family requests that a memorial gift in Don’s name be sent to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, 1031 W. Broadway, Moses Lake, WA 98837.
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