Donald Ray Harrell, 90, passed away on August 6, 2024.
He was born January 5, 1934, the tenth of eleven children born to Charles Aud and Daisy Jane (Creason) Harrell, who preceded him in death.
Also preceding him in deah was his wife, Violet Deloris (Fix) Harrell, five brothers, four sisters, and close friends, Donald Cook, Duane Haley, and Dale Haley.
Survivors include his daughter, Le Ann Wilson (Stewart) of Orofino; two grandsons, also of Orofino; and Corey Kleer-Larson, presently of Moscow, Idaho; a great-granddaughter who arrived May 10, 2024; his brother, Willis (Coleen) Harrell, Rocky Comfort, Mo.; many nieces and nephews; friend and caregiver, Mark St. Clair; and his sweet Cocker Spaniel mix, Sophie.
He spent his “growing- up years” in Wheaton, Mo., graduating from Wheaton High School in 1951.
He and Violet lived in a few different cities before Don entered the US Army in 1956. Just two years later, the couple was back on the road again, living in Augusta, GA, Billings, MT, and Boise, ID, before settling in Orofino, ID in 1962. Their only daughter, Le Ann Dawn, was born three years later, in February 1965.
He worked in local sawmills before landing a job as a boiler operator at State Hospital North, Orofino, in 1963. He later worked as the hospital’s master plumber, earning a journeyman plumber’s certification in 1978. He was employed by the State of Idaho for 33 years before retiring in 1996.
Very special thanks, too, to Clearwater County Ambulance Service, who offered up five-star assistance several times over the past two years, and to the employees of Advanced Home Care & Hospice of Northern Idaho, who took such good care of him prior to his passing.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 24, at 12:30 p.m., with Leo Dub, VFW chaplain, officiating.
A potluck dinner will be held at the Orofino VFW Building, 330 Michigan Avenue, immediately following interment. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Legion, https://www. legion.org/, or to a veteran’s organization of your choice.
