PENDLETON – Donald E. Sallee, 78, of Pendleton, died on July 21, 2009, following an illness. Graveside services were held July 25 at Prairie City Cemetery.

Mr. Sallee was born Nov. 30, 1930, in Nemaha County, Neb., to Keith and Cora Mae (Ramsay) Sallee. He graduated from Kitsap High School in Kitsap County, Wash.

He joined the U.S. Coast Guard on Dec. 5, 1950, serving as a seaman in the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on April 28, 1954, in Seattle.

On Nov. 30, 1955, he married Sandra Lee Bowen. Five children were born to this marriage which later ended.

He worked as a telegrapher for the Burlington Northern Railroad. In 2008 he moved to Oregon to be closer to family. He had also lived in Ellensburg, Yakima and Riverside, Wash. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and rodeo.

Survivors include his son, Dan Sallee of Ellensburg; daughters, Dawna Bond of Richfield, Utah, Darlene Sallee of Phoenix, Ariz., and Deborah Pfeifer of Pendleton; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, one grandson, one daughter and one daughter-in-law.

Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, 336 SW Dorion Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801, is in charge of arrangements.