Don Young, 89 years old, passed away on Saturday, December 3, at his farm in Chehalis, Washington, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born in Bennet, Nebraska. His folks, along with their five children moved from Nebraska to a farm in Chehalis when Don was just three years old.
Eventually after his father’s death he bought the farm from his mother and lived here the rest of his life – 86 years on one farm! Living on a farm is hard work and Don spent his entire childhood and his adult life helping his father plowing fields, tending gardens, building fences, raising livestock and building a big RED barn. Anyone who truly knew Don knows red was his favorite color. Don loved horses and the Young farm always had horses both for plowing the fields and riding for pleasure and hunting. Like so many others in those days, children and adults alike earned money by picking strawberries. He was so proud that he picked enough strawberries one year to buy his first gun when he was 10 years old.
Don was a down to earth true cowboy in every sense. Every day began with blue jeans and cowboy boots and rarely would you see him without a cowboy hat on. He loved country music and rarely missed all the country music programs every Saturday night. Don was a lifelong member of the NRA and loved to go hunting on horseback up in the hills with his friends and family. He also belonged to the Good Sam Club for many years and really enjoyed camping and fishing. Don was an avid bowler on many leagues for at least 50 years.
He graduated from Napavine High School in 1951 and went to work for Peerless Meats. In 1953 he joined the army during the Korean War, served two years, and left active duty in 1955. He served eight years in the reserves where he received an honorable discharge. He was a meat cutter and truck driver by trade, managing Peerless Meats for almost 30 years. Later he became a forklift driver in the freezer at National Frozen Foods for 15 years before retiring in 1995.
Don married Darlene Locke in 1971 and became stepfather to Nikki, Vikki, and Rikki Wohld. They had a beautiful life together until Valentine’s Day 1989 when Darlene unexpectedly passed away. Don remarried in 1995 to Genevieve Riffe and became stepfather to Darrel, Randy, Kim, Tracy, and Kristi. Sadly, he lost his second wife Gen in 2016. Don was the best husband and father to all of us.
Don was a wonderful man — his caring and generosity for others over his lifetime was unprecedented. He touched so many lives and whether it be friend, family, husband, or father to us, we all loved him dearly. He always said that no matter how old he got, he would be “Forever Young.” He had a long and good life and for those of us who were privileged to be a part of that life, we are grateful and will always remember.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Arthur and Anna Young, siblings Arnold Young, Hazel Wisner, Elsie Schlittler, and Margaret Holland. Don outlived two beautiful and loving wives whom he adored, Darlene and Genevieve; and two sons Rikki Wohld and Randy Riffe.
He is survived by three daughters, Nikki Sills (Greg), Vikki Allen, and Kristi Gerard (Dale); sons Darrel Riffe (Sheila), Kim Riffe (Sue), and Tracy Riffe (Jani); many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
There will be a service for Don at Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 South Gold Street, Centralia, WA, on Tuesday, December 13. Viewing from 10 a.m. to noon. Service will start at noon followed by graveside services at Greenwood Memorial Park, 1905 Johnson Road, Centralia, WA, followed by a luncheon at Fort Borst Park, Kitchen #2, west of I-5, off Exit 82, Centralia, WA. Main cowboy fixings will be provided. If you wish to – side dishes, salads, and desserts would be welcomed.
