Donald (Don) Ross Brittain

Don, age 76, passed away at his home in Wilder, Idaho on December 22, 2013 after a long illness.

Don was the oldest of 6 children, born on October 17, 1939 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Thora (Marshall) Brittain, and Gilbert Ross Brittain. The Brittain family moved with Dad Ross's job with the USBR from eastern Idaho, to western Idaho, and they lived in both Boise and Emmett where Don graduated from High School. He joined the US Navy and served time aboard the USS Ranger before his honorable discharge in 1963.

He met and married Judy Sawyer in December of 1956. His parents and siblings eventually moved to Warden, WA, and then Moses Lake, WA, and he and Judy joined them after his discharge. Judy passed away, and he remarried Karen Jones of Emmett, Idaho in October of 1982. Karen and Don and her boys made their home in Warden, WA.

Don had several jobs in the Columbia Basin, and ultimately found employment at Basic American, then called American Potato, in maintenance, and after a time took a shop foreman position. He retired from Basic American, but he spoke often of his friends and co-workers at the facility. After his retirement, he and Karen sold their home in Warden and bought a 5th wheel trailer. They split their time between Moses Lake, southern Idaho, Lost Lake Camp in Northern Washington, and many other places until Karen became ill. They sold their 5th wheel and bought a home in Wilder, Idaho so she could seek continued treatment in the Boise area until she recovered.

For 18 years, Don and Karen worked as volunteers and hosts for the Lost Lake Camp ground, and spent most of their summers there. When Karen was too ill to travel, Don continued to go and worked for both of them. Karen summed it up with these words: "Don cut wood for seniors, and anyone else that needed camp fire wood 'Have tractor and chainsaw-no dead tree is safeI' He helped rescue a child from a tree, and took many kids fishing-for most it was their first time. He made many friends there, and most have called me to say that he will really be missed."

Don was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Judy, and his parents Thora and Ross Brittain. He is survived by his loving wife Karen, who provided the majority of the medical care during his illness, and all of Karen's family, including her sons and their families. Also surviving Don are his 2 children with Judy - Mike Brittain of Wenatchee, WA, and Jackie Yurian and her family of Moses Lake; his 5 siblings - sisters, Ann of Moses Lake, Betty of Colville, WA, Jerri of Montana and brothers, Bryan (Butch) of Kennewick, WA andStan of Moses Lake.

At Don's request, no formal service was held. There was a private family service at Don and Karen's home a few days after his passing.