Donald Morton

Donald Roy Morton, 76, of Nine Mile Falls, WA passed away 2/27/2020 after a long battle with dementia at Royal Park Care Center. He was born in Seattle, WA on 11/22/1943. Don graduated from Shadle Park High School and attended 2 years at Eastern Washington University from 1962-64 while working at the Early Bird Club and Matador restaurant at the Davenport Hotel.

He enlisted in the Washington Air National Guard, passionately serving 33 years from 1965 to 1998. He started his career with the WA Air National Guard as a Radar Technician at the 242, then moved to vehicle maintenance of the 141st division at Fairchild AFB. He served the 141st as a Master Sergeant which included deployments to Spain, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

Don married Christine Bixenmann on June 13th, 1970 at the Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Bremerton, WA. Together they raised 4 children and enjoyed over 50 years together. He was so proud of the life he created with his wife and children. He was a great father, husband, brother, son, uncle, and patriot who served his country with pride and dedication. 

He was a member of the Mustang Car Club, Newfoundland Dog Club, Assumption and St. Thomas More parishes. He loved and lived for his children, family and friends. He loved his country and was so proud to be a member of the WA Air National Guard – where he was a hard-worker, knew most models of their planes just by the sound, and was nicknamed “Herc” for his strength. He was also known as the “coffee and doughnut man” to his work colleagues and others. He was an amazing athlete and runner and loved to take his children on runs and teach them to use their strengths. He would tell them often, “Just let your feet fly”.

Don was generous to others in need with his time, help or gifts. One of his many accomplishments was becoming a 10-gallon blood donor for the blood bank.

He is survived by wife Christine Morton; children, Scott (Jessica) Morton, Marla Bender, James (Allison) Morton, and Katrina (Robert) Bankard; and siblings, Kenneth (Kathleen) Morton and David (Kathy) Morton. Don also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 9 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Robert and Jesse Morton, as well as his sister Kathy (Morton) Hume.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8pm (vigil/rosary at 7:00pm) on March 19th, 2020 at Hennessey Funeral Home in Spokane, WA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on March 20th, 2020 at St. Thomas More Church in Spokane, WA. A reception luncheon will be held immediately following mass in the PAC center at St. Thomas More. Burial will take place at the WA State Veterans Cemetery. He will always be remembered, missed, and loved by those he leaves behind.

To leave an online condolence for Don’s family, please visit his tribute page.

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