Donald B. Sunde
Donald B. Sunde
Jan. 20, 1923 - Jan. 17, 2015
Donald B. Sunde, 91, a Moses Lake resident, passed away January 17, 2015 in his home.
Viewing will take place on Tuesday January 20, 2015 from 12:00 to 7:00 PM and on Wednesday, January 21, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held on January 21, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Kayser's Chapel of Memories with Pastor Floyd Wilks of the First Church of the Nazarene officiating. Sign the online guestbook at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.
He was a man of integrity, a devoted husband and father, a hard worker, and man of unwavering faith. He was a devout Christian and loved Jesus, his Lord and Savior.
Donald B. Sunde was born November 15, 1923 in Portland Oregon to Bernard and Clara Sunde of Tualatin, Ore. He was the oldest of the four singing and yodeling "Sunde Brothers" that were well known throughout Oregon during the 1930s and early 1940s. They sang on the radio and at many special programs, country fairs and rodeos, and won several "Amateur Contests" popular at the time.
He graduated from Sherwood High School in Sherwood, Ore in 1941.
During World War II he was a sergeant in the US Army Air Corps 344th Air Service Squadron serving in the jungles of the South Pacific Islands for four years with campaigns in New Guinea, Northern Solomon Islands, Bismarck Archipelago and Southern Philippines. Dad was proud that he was a member of the "Greatest Generation".
Music was a major part of Don's life. He married the love of his life, Lula, in 1951. They sang "Country Style" gospel songs as a duet on the radio and churches in the Northwest throughout their 54-year marriage. He was a popular song leader in various churches in Portland, Seattle, Renton, and Moses Lake. He loved singing the old-time gospel hymns with Lu and playing his Martin guitar.
Before entering WWII Don was employed as an Airplane Mechanic for S&M Flying Service in Portland, Ore. and Ryan Aeronautical Co. of Hemet, Cal. After the war he graduated from the Oregon Institute of Technology with a FAA A&P License and hired with the Boeing Company. He retired from Boeing after 38 years as an aero machinist. He was Lead Mechanic on an elite "Experimental Flight Test" crew and respected as one of the company's best. He was a life member of the Aero Mechanics Union - Lodge 751.
Don was preceded in death by Lula, his wife of 54 years, his parents Bernard and Clara Sunde, his brothers Carroll Sunde, and Laurence Sunde, and his granddaughter Angela Sunde.
Don is survived by his sons Daniel L. Sunde and wife Renee of Olympia, Wash., Billy M. Sunde and wife Rosie of Auburn, Wash., Larry D. Sunde and wife Deborah Narine of Seattle, Wash., daughter Carolyn M. Sunde of Moses Lake, brother Gordon Sunde of Forest Grove, Ore., six grandchildren, Sajo, Don, Lisa, Valerie, Brian and Erik, and five great-grandchildren.
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