June 24, 1944 - August 24, 2011
Donald Carroll Countryman: June 24, 1944 â?? August 24, 2012 Donald Carroll Countryman lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis on August 24, 2012. He died peacefully, in his home with his daughters by his side. He was 68 years old. Don was born on June 24, 1944 in St. John Washington to Cliff and Edna Countryman. His father was a farmer and cattleman who specialized in breeding Angus bulls. Don grew up working on the farm. Throughout his school years, Don was active in boy-scouts, 4-H, and Future Farmers of America (FFA). After graduating from St. John High School, Don attended college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He later returned to St. John with a dream to start a cattle ranch of his own. In 1966, Don married Syrelda Glorfield, also a graduate of St. John High School. In 1972, the Countryman family moved to a farm just outside of Ewan, near Rock Lake. Don lived there until his death. It was at this farm that Don built a herd of 100+ head of cattle, farmed wheat and barley, and raised his five daughters. In 1997 Don and Syrelda divorced. Eventually, Don sold the cattle and then retired from farming and took up some of his old hobbies: ammunition reloading, specialty guns, and fishing. He loved fishing on Rock Lake and also enjoyed a few fishing trips to Alaska. Don often told people that his girls were his pride and joy. He felt one of his biggest accomplishments was that he was able to give each of his daughters the opportunity to go to college and the ability to rely upon themselves for support. Even in illness, Don worked to make things easier for his family. He accepted his fate and lived out his last months with grace and dignity. Diagnosed in January, he began the task of preparing his family and completing the things important to him. He was determined to maintain his independence as long as he could. He kept a positive, upbeat attitude and made sure those around him knew how much they meant to him. Don did not stop fighting and doing until his last 12 days when he completed his final task of saying goodbye to his daughters, son in laws, grandchildren and dear friends. Don is survived by his mother Edna Countryman of St. John, WA; his brother Dale Countryman of Harrington, WA; his five daughters, Kami Mackleit of Valleyford, WA; Leisa Montgomery of Wenatchee, WA; Stacia Goodwin of Spokane, WA; Kyndell Kooy of Bothell,WA, and Autumn Palumbo also of Bothell, WA, 10 wonderful grandchildren, and his border collie, Katie. Please feel free to share a memory or just sign in. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Donâ??s name to the St. John/Endicott School Foundation, St. John Stockshow Fund, or Organization of your choice
