Dwayne Clayton Michel

November 5, 1943 – May 15, 2016

Dwayne Clayton Michel, 72, died Sunday May 15, 2016, after years of battling Alzheimer’s disease.

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Donna Poland Michel, and his parents Clayton and Viola Herman Michel. Dwayne is survived by his sons Devon and Darin Michel, his granddaughters Shayla and Tyla Michel, and the Michel and Poland families. Dwayne grew up farming in Othello, and after high school attended Central Washington University and got a B.S. in Finance. It was in college that Dwayne and his lifelong best friend, Cliff Dopps, met another set of best friends: Donna Poland and Sandy Noels (Dopps). The four became inseparable, both couples marrying and returning to Othello to farm. Donna had twins Devon and Darin just one month after Sandy delivered her twin boys Steve and Stan. The two families spent countless vacations together, skiing, hiking, and playing at the Dopps cabin in Cle Elum.

Dwayne loved being a farmer and cattle rancher, and his put his whole heart into leaving the ranch as a legacy he could pass on to the next generations. 28 years ago he hired Demetrio Leal, whose wife Tomey and children Albert, Nyrada, Demetrio Jr., became part of the Michel family. One of Dwayne’s favorite holiday stories was of him and Donna dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus and bringing presents to the Leal family at Christmas.

He found the most joy in being outdoors, whether he was hunting, working, fishing, skiing, or just driving around the farm. Always love the beauty of nature. Dwayne also had a jovial sense of humor, even naming his black Lab “Pocher” after a favorite hunter friend.

Dwayne will be missed by his friends and family. Devon and Darin would like to invite friends and family to a short graveside service at 1 p.m. at Beth Hampton Memorial cemetery in Othello, and to dinner and celebration of Dwayne’s life Friday May 20, 2:30 p.m. at the headquarters of Saddle Mountain Ranches in Othello, Wash.