Obituary of Donald Ray Deasy

Donald Ray Deasy (Major Donald R. Deasy, Retired), age 90, passed away July 16, 2019 in Olympia, Washington, his home the last 10 years.  He was born March 5, 1929 to Nolan and Lola Deasy in Riggins, Idaho.  He was active in sports, both in high school and in college (Boise, Idaho), playing basketball and football, and running track.

Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 17, 1950, during the Korean War, and was a member of the Ordinance Corps.  He was honorably discharged from the Regular Army June 11, 1952, entering the Army Reserves.  He completed 7th Army NCO Academy in March 1952.  He reactivated into the Regular Army in 1961, having been promoted to First Lieutenant, serving during the Vietnam War.  He retired with the rank of Major from the Quartermasters’ Division October 1, 1971 at Ft. Lewis, Washington.  His military career took him to many duty stations in the U.S., as well as overseas to Seoul, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany.  His total service was 21 years (20 years 10.5 months).

Donald met and married his first wife, Marianne, while stationed with the Army in Germany.  He married Marilyn Lantz on June 10, 1977.

Upon retirement, Donald went to work for Bethel School District in Graham, Washington, as Supervisor of Transportation.  He continued his career in public transportation as Highline School District Driver Trainer, North Mason School District Director of Transportation, and Issaquah School District Director of Transportation.  He also was active in school district training programs and bus rodeos prior to his retirement in 1995. A resident of the Puget Sound area from 1970 to 1995, he moved to Sterling, Alaska for 13 years before returning to the Olympia area in 2009.

Donald was an avid fisherman and golfer and was also fond of working on home and yard projects.  He loved travel, especially going on cruises with his wife, Marilyn, as well as RV traveling, boating, camping and hunting.  In recent years, he could be found golfing with family and friends any time the weather allowed, particularly at his home course at Delphi.   He was also always helping neighbors with chores.   He greatly enjoyed gatherings with family and friends, encouraging everyone and keeping up on how they were doing. 

Donald is survived by his wife, Marilyn Deasy of Olympia, Washington; sons, William Deasy of Gig Harbor, Washington, Steven Deasy (wife, Dianne) of Gig Harbor, Rick Johnson of Bellingham, Washington, and Rob Johnson of Belize, Central America; daughter, Tracy Washbond (husband, Robert) of Gig Harbor; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and sister, Myrna Medley of Phoenix, Arizona.  He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Glen Deasy of McCall, Idaho.

Graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019, 1:30 p.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA 98042.  A reception will immediately follow at Tahoma Lodge, adjacent to the cemetery.