Donald Wickwire

Auburn resident Donald Dean Wickwire died January 1, 2014, of respiratory failure at age 84.

He was born February 20, 1929, in Lyman, Nebraska to Gladys O. and Joseph R. Wickwire and spent his early childhood in Nebraska and Colorado. He moved to Enumclaw when he was 13 with his mother and stepfather, Merle “Shorty” Shuttlesworth. He graduated in 1947 from Enumclaw High School, where he was the editor of the newspaper and a gifted writer and artist. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1947 and served as a radio operator on the USS Des Moines until 1954. In September 1954, he met Barbara K. Larum and they married on April 14, 1955 in Enumclaw. He retired with more than 30 years of service with Rohr Aircraft Corp in 1994. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Crescent Lodge 109 in Enumclaw. He will be remembered for his dry wit, creativity, avid interest in automobiles and love of home and family.

Donald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara K. Wickwire of Auburn; daughters Sherry J. Wickwire of San Francisco, Julie A. Wickwire of Kent, and Lisa C. Wickwire of Renton.

He was preceded in death by sister Wilma J. “Jean” Fugate and brother-in-law Dangis “Doc” Fugate.

A celebration of life open house is planned for 1:30

to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 19, at the Auburn Golf Course, 29630 Green River Rd. S.E. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.DAV.org).