Donald McDonald Clise

Donald McDonald Clise, 85, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away after a long battle with heart disease on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Capital Medical Center in Olympia, Washington. Don was a gentle, big-hearted man, quiet but with a grin and a great sense of humor up to the last. Don was born November 4, 1930, in Raymond, Washington, to Donald M. Clise and Margaret E. Fribley Clise. He graduated from Willapa Valley High and Central Washington University. He is survived by his wife, Irene; brothers, Duane Clise (Marilyn) of Woodinville, Washington, and Dell Clise (Micki) of Yakima, Washington; devoted sons, David Thomas Clise (Linda) of San Tan Valley, Arizona, and Don McDonald Clise Jr. (Reiko) of Puyallup, Washington; and grandchildren, Benjamin and Lorelei (David), and Maya and Cota (Donald), who were the love of his life. Family has always been Don’s love and focus. Don married Irene in 1982 and welcomed her three children as an addition to the family, John Francis (Cheri) of Palmer, Alaska, Greg Francis (Lisa) of Spokane, Washington, and Melissa Shearer (David) of Muncie, Indiana. The new family included four young teens, a nine-year-old, and Irene’s father; he loved all of them. They added eight more grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Irene and Don traveled many thousands of miles in RVs, visiting every state except Ohio! They took the grandkids (two at a time) on RV trips each summer. When it was time to “settle down,” they became snowbirds in Casa Grande, Arizona, and welcomed the sun and warmth as they made friends from many states and Canada. Professionally, Don was a middle school teacher for 36 years, from Pasco to the Philippines, then Turkey and Germany. He returned to Olympia and taught at Washington Middle School for many years. In memorium, please donate to the Union Gospel Mission, March of Dimes, or a charity of choice. Please leave memories of Don or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.