Obituary: Countryman, Donald C.
He died peacefully, in his home with his daughters by his side.
He was 68 years old.
Born June 24, 1944, in St. John, WA to Cliff and Edna Countryman, Don grew up working on the farm.
His father was a farmer and cattleman who specialized in breeding Angus bulls.
Throughout his school years, Don was active in boy-scouts, 4-H, and FFA.
After graduating from St. John High School, Don attended California Polytechnic State University College in San Luis Obispo.
He later returned to St. John with a dream to start a cattle ranch of his own.
In 1966, Don married Syrelda Glorfield, also a graduate of St. John High School.
In 1972, the Countryman family moved to a farm just outside of Ewan, near Rock Lake.
Don lived there until his death.
It was here that Don built a herd of 100+ head of cattle, farmed wheat and barley, and raised his five daughters.
In 1997 Don and Syrelda divorced.
Eventually, Don sold the cattle and retired from farming.
He took up some of his old hobbies: ammunition reloading, specialty guns, and fishing.
He loved fishing on Rock Lake and also enjoyed a few fishing trips to Alaska.
Don often told people that his girls were his pride and joy.
He felt one of his biggest accomplishments was the ability to provide his daughters the opportunity to attend college.
Diagnosed in January, Don began the task of preparing his family and completing things important to him.
He was determined to maintain his independence and he kept a positive, upbeat attitude making sure those around him knew how much he cared.
Even in illness, Don worked to make things easier for his family.
He accepted his fate living out his last months with grace and dignity.
Don didn’t stop fighting and doing until his last few days when he completed his final task of saying goodbye to his daughters, sons-in-law, grand- children and dear friends.
Don is survived by his mother Edna Countryman of St. John, WA; his brother Dale Countryman of Harrington, WA; his five daughters, Kami Mackleit of Valleyford, WA; Leisa Montgomery of Wenatchee, WA; Stacia Goodwin of Spokane, WA; Kyndell Kooy of Bothell,WA, and Autumn Palumbo also of Bothell, WA, 10 wonderful grandchildren, and his border collie, Katie.
Memorials may be made in Don’s name to the St. John/Endicott School Foundation P.O.
Box 411 St. John, WA 99171, St. John Stock show Fund, or Organization of your choice.
Please visit the online memorial at www.communitycremationservice.com.