Donald Ping

Former Raymond resident Donald Dean Ping 81, passed away Tuesday May 24th at the Pacific Ridge Care Center in Tacoma. He was born October 25th 1934 in Sioux City, Iowa to Leonard and Goldie Ping. He attended school in Naselle and Willapa Valley. He joined the Navy Reserves as a Sophomore in High school and later joined the United States Marine Corps. After 3 years of active duty with the Marines he returned to Raymond and met Darlene Baker, who he later married in 1958. They had three children; Kirt, Keith & Karla. They divorced in 1975. He later married Enita Bowen, she preceded him in death in 2012. From a young age Don was a hard worker, as a teenager he worked for Bill Edwards at his landscaping business, after his return from the Marines he worked planting trees, as a farmhand, worked in the oyster industry, and worked in the woods until he eventually drove log truck for Weyerhaeuser until a back injury forced him to retire. Don loved his family and friends and loved visiting with them any chance he could. He also loved the outdoors. In his younger years he liked to fish, clam dig, go bark peeling and especially go hunting. The whole family would often times go for long rides in the woods looking for animals and enjoying the outdoors. As Don got older, he liked to tell stories about the past and he always thoroughly enjoyed his kids and grandkids and going for rides with his brother Gene. He is survived by his children Kirt Ping (Angela), Keith Ping (Kari), & Karla Christen (Jim). 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Step Children Larry Bowen, Donna Workman, Burnetta Boggs, Theresa Amacher, Diane Niell, Sam Bowen, & Angie Spurell. 15 step grandchildren and 21 step great-grandchildren. Also by his brothers Rick and Gene Ping and sisters Judy Connell & Judy Ping. He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Goldie Ping, his wife Enita, sisters Pat, Nancy & Vicky, brother Wayne and a step daughter Rose Nissell. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday June 11th at 10:00am at Stoller\\'s Mortuary in Raymond, with a gathering immediately following at the American Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HAVA, 431 2nd St. Raymond Wa. 98577 Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond, Washington. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald Ping please visit our Sympathy Store.