Donald William Hart

Donald William Hart, age 79, a longtime resident of Moses Lake, Wash., passed away at the Lakeridge Nursing Home on June 29, 2004.

Don was born on July 10, 1924 in Knoxville, Iowa. He moved with his parents to the Hunters, Wash. area when he was 16 years old. He later moved to Springdale, Wash. where he graduated from high school. Don then went to work at Felts Field in Spokane.

In 1943, he joined the 8th Air Force, serving 32 months overseas as an airplane mechanic specialist, sometimes flying with the test pilot, which he enjoyed.

Arriving home in 1946, Don started looking for work. At one place, the district manager asked if he would like to manage a small variety store. Don said he would try it. It turned out to be a Sprouse-Reitz store in Spokane. After a few years, he opened the one here in Moses Lake in 1949.

A few years passed and Don decided he would like to get a job working outside, so off he went to Addy, Wash. He tried a little farming, logging and numerous other jobs. Just about the time he thought he might not be making a very good living, the district manager came again and offered Don the chance to open another store in Colville, Wash. He accepted the job.

But after a few years, the fresh air and wide open spaces called Don back to Moses Lake. He worked for Allison Lumber Co. for a while, but it was destroyed by a fire. Once again, he was looking for another job. Someone told him about Columbia Bean & Produce looking for help. Out he went and got the job.

After working there for a while, he was asked if he would like to be a fieldman. Don said all he knew about beans was eating them, but he accepted the job. He took some night classes at the college and this job turned out to be his niche.

After getting acquainted with the farmers, working with them and earning their trust, he made some very wonderful friends. After 26 years at the job he loved, Don retired.

He learned to play a little by traveling with the Sandy Sams RV Club. Don did a lot of dancing, golfing, wood working and of course, working in the yard.

Don is survived by: his loving wife, Theda of 61 years; one daughter, Donna and son-in-law, Richard Conway of Moses Lake; grandsons, David Paski and family of Finland, Europe and Trampus Conway and family of Moses Lake; granddaughters, Dionne (Paski) Creamer and family of Snoqualmie and Tonia (Conway) Busherd and family of Moses Lake; eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, two aunts, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Randall and Cora Lippert of Moses Lake, uncles, aunts and cousins of Iowa.

Don's smile and love for his family and friends will be greatly missed. We feel very blessed to have had his love for as long as we did.

In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to the Alzheimer's Research Center, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871.

Services will be held at the United Methodist Church, 746 S. Ironwood Dr. in Moses Lake at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2004.