In Memoriam: Roy Donald Hurlbert
Joanne Campbell
Shelton Chapter member Roy Donald "Don" Hurlbert, died on January 17, 2009, after a lengthy
illness. He had lived in Mason County since September 1963.
Don was born July 23, 1930, in Tonasket, Wash. He graduated from Tonasket High School in
1948 where he was very active in sports and the Future Farmers of America. He received the
State Farmer Degree in 1947.
After high school, Don attended Washington State College in 1948. He volunteered for the
Armed Forces of the United States of America in October 1949, during the Korean War and
attained the rank of sergeant in 1951. Following his honorable discharge from the army in
January 1953, he returned to Washington State College and used the GI Bill to help
finance his education. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1957.
In January 1958, Don began a career with the United States Department of Agriculture in
the Soil Conservation Service. He trained in Bellingham, transferred to Mansfield, in
Douglas County, and received a promotion to Mason County in 1963. In 1973 he was promoted
to Area Resource Conservationist, headquartered in Olympia. His last position was District
Conservationist for both Thurston and Mason County, before retiring from the USDA in 1988.
Don is survived by his wife Joy, a longtime Shelton Chapter member. They met during their
senior year at Washington State College (now Washington State University) and were married
May 31, 1957. He is also survived by two daughters, Mary Settle (Rob) of Gig Harbor, and
Lisa Lahaie (Mark) of Olympia; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Don's beloved
son Jon died in 2003.
Don was known for his sense of humor and impish grin, and is deeply missed by family and
friends.