Donald Dean Rynearson was born April 25, 1931, in Emmett, Idaho, to William Marlow Rynearson and Hanner Rebecca Smith Rynearson. Donald was the youngest of 11 children: John, Zella, Raymond, Louise, Dorothy, Alta, Floyd, Lewis, Lucy and Fern.

Donald attended school in Emmett, Idaho until his sophomore year, when he dropped out and joined the U.S. Navy in 1948. He served for four years, mostly aboard ship in Europe. He became a deep sea diver as an underwater welder and salvage person.

After his discharge in 1952, he moved to Prairie City. He married Bessie Inez Winebarger on Nov. 21, 1952. Four children were born to this union: Robert (Bob) Marlow, James (Jim) Dean, Jeffery (Jeff) Alan and Becky LuAnn.

Mr. Rynearson worked with his brother at Floyd Logging for a short time, then went to work for Calif. Pacific Power Company in John Day for three years. He then moved to Portland and worked as a truck driver for Pacific Power and Light. He was transferred several times, first to Hermiston and then Bend. They had a cut back and laid off many employees. He went on construction for a short period but didn’t like being away from family, so he moved back to Prairie City and drove a log truck for Bates Sawmill for four months and then back to Portland again for Pacific Power. He was studying to become a lineman and when it came time to serve his apprenticeship, he went to Lebanon for three years. Upon becoming a lineman, he moved to Enterprise to work in 1964. He moved to Milton-Freewater in 1977 to be Lineman Representative in Umapine, with Walla Walla, Wash. being his division. He moved back to Enterprise in 1983 as a service man until his retirement in 1990.

Mr. Rynearson liked to fish, hunt, cut wood, top trees and attend his livestock. He started doing wood working in the 70s. He and wife Bessie started a craft business and traveled to many places and did sales for 25 years. He spent many hours in his woodshop making furniture for the family.

He was a life member of Eagle Cap Post 4307 of the VFW in Enterprise. While in Milton-Freewater, he was very active in the Lions Club, serving as president for several years. He was also a member of Enterprise Elks Lodge for a time and helped deliver Christmas boxes.

Mr. Rynearson is survived by wife Bessie of 55 years; sons, Bob (Dana) of La Grande; Jim (Sue) of Joseph and Jeff (Darlene) of The Dalles; daughter, Becky of Enterprise; sister, Fern (Clayton) Horn of Prineville; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Rynearson of Emmett, Idaho and Norma Rynearson of Prairie City; seven grandchildren, Eric (Lindsay); Tiffany (Brad); Dena (Cory); Donnie (Kayla); Joshua; Douglas and Kayla; three step granddaughters, Jessica (Jonathan); Tiffany and Kimberly (Leon); seven great-grandchildren, Taieh; McKenna; Morgan; Hale; Hadle; Harley and Hanley; seven step great-grandchildren, Aimee; Aaron; Kalissa; Demetrius; Raymond; Isabella and Hayden; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Mr. Rynearson was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John; Raymond; Floyd and Lewis; and sisters, Zella; Louise; Dorothy; Alta and Lucy. He died at his home December 27, 2007. Funeral services were held on Jan. 5, 2008, at the Enterprise Community Church with vault interment and military honors at the Enterprise Cemetery.