Donald Hite

Donald Edward Hite, 86, a long time Grant county resident, passed away at home in Moses Lake on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 with his family at his side. Don, a well known farmer in the Columbia Basin, lived and worked his farm and in the region from 1954 until 2005.

Born in Ontario, Oregon, on October 6, 1925 to John and Mildred Hite, he was raised in Malheur county, Oregon. After graduating Adrian, Oregon High School, he joined the Navy in March 1944 and served in Tinian, Saipan, and Okinawa until he was honorably discharged in June of 1946. After returning home he reunited with Mary Louise Bloom and they were married on September 3, 1946. They lived in Nyssa, Oregon where they farmed and started a family. In 1954 they moved to the Columbia Basin where Don, as a veteran, received a grant of land in Block 42 near Warden. There, he continued to farm and raise his family. In 1966, he received the Washington State Farmer of the Year Award. Don loved to salmon fish and travel the countryside admiring farmland with friends.

He is preceded in death by his son, Russell Edward Hite and his wife, Mary. He is survived by his sister Marjorie Brewer, of Hermiston,OR, his son John and Aleksandra Hite, of Torun, Poland, and his daughter Dona Strickland, of Moses Lake. His grandchildren include Michael and Cathy Strickland of Moses Lake, Nicholas Hite of Rapid City, SD, and Gwen and Solomon Maiangelo-Emich of Pocahontas, AR. His great-grandchildren are Micayla and Marissa Strickland of Moses Lake and Ashley Hamlet of Everett, WA.

A viewing will be held at Kayser's Chapel in Moses Lake on Tuesday, Nov. 1st from noon to 5:00 pm and again Wednesday morning, Nov. 2nd, from 8 to 9:45 am. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, at 11:00 am at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Warden where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Mary. An online guestbook is available at www.kayserschapel.com for those who cannot attend services. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel.