JARS v63n3 - In Memoriam: Roy Donald Hurlbert

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.