Donald Eugene Garren

Donald E. Garren, 86, passed away January 8, 2021, at home with his wife, Barbara, and daughters, Kathy Glaser and Debi Bender of Gig Harbor, Washington, and Kim Galaktianoff of Lacey, Washington, at his side. He was born in Miami, Oklahoma, on August 14, 1934, the youngest of five children. Don married Barbara Klunder on March 7, 1954, in Baker City, Oregon. They had four daughters. He attended OTI in Klamath Falls, Oregon, eventually becoming a sheet metal mechanic and union member for 31 years. The family moved to Kelso, Washington, in 1964, and lived there for 16 years. Barbara and Don then moved to Lake Cushman, where they had owned recreational property for many years. Health and back problems brought them to Lacey in 1989. They had a retirement home built on Capitol City Golf Course, where they lived for the last 31 years. Their retirement years included many winters at Sunbeam Lake, El Centro, California, and several seasons of RVing through the USA and Canada as far as Nova Scotia. Don loved working with his hands, building docks, decks, patios and finishing home projects at each stop. His sense of humor and gentle kindness were felt by all those who knew him, with just a bit of competitiveness when it came to golf, football or water sports. He and Barbara were active members of Grace Community Covenant Church for many years. He knew and served the Lord. Don was predeceased by his mother, three brothers, and daughter, Patty. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three daughters; six grandchildren, Kayla Joplin of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, Niki Galaktianoff of Chandler, Arizona, Lauren Nelson of Ovilla, Texas, Molly Bender of Palm Desert, California, Donald Glaser of Tempe, Arizona, and Ryan Glaser of Phoenix, Arizona; and three great grandchildren, Kinsley and Archer Joplin and Paul Nelson. Don's sister Treva Roper and family also survive him. Family members hope to celebrate Don's life this summer at Lake Cushman. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.