Donald Kitchel December 18, 1937 - July 3, 2019
Donald Kitchel, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away July 3rd, 2019 while surrounded by family.
Don was born on December 18, 1937 to Edward Kitchel and Leota Anderson in Chehalis, Washington. He was raised by his Mother Leota and Stepfather Bud Anderson in Eatonville Washington. He graduated from Eatonville High School and after working for Boeing for several years he joined the Armed Forces. After completing basic training at Fort Ord in California, he moved on to advanced training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan he intercepted and recorded Chinese military broadcasts.
Don spent many years as an accountant at Howard S Wright Construction Company, working on such projects as the Columbia Tower in Seattle, Pioneer Place in Portland, an oil pipeline in Alaska, and hospitals and other projects in Idaho, Denver, Anchorage, and Los Angeles.
Don married Gayle Puariea in 1961. They were happily married for nearly 54 years until Gayle’s passing in 2015. They had 3 children, and 4 grandchildren. They loved to entertain and hosted many holiday parties, bonfires, Belgium waffle breakfasts, and card games. He even subbed with the Ladies’ Bridge group when needed.
Don was very active and loved golfing, swimming, fishing, hunting, boating, and gardening. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren fishing, clam digging, gardening, watching movies, watching football, playing cards, and making orange juice from his many fruit trees in his garden.
After Don was widowed, he met Dottie Ivankoe. She was a wonderful addition to the family, and they spent the last several years traveling all over the world, including New Zealand, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Panama Canal.
Don will be remembered for his kind, gentle, and generous spirit, as well as a sense of humor. He will be missed by many. Don was preceded in death by his Father Edward, Stepfather Bud, Mother Leota, brother Dennis, and wife Gayle. He is survived by his children Scott Kitchel, Teresa Bond, and Shannon Reding (Jeff), his sisters Nancy and Sandy, his loving partner Dorothy, grandchildren Matthew, Allison, Rowan, and Greyson, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held on July 27th at 2:00pm at 43710 94th Ave Ct E, Eatonville, Washington 98328.
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