Donald Wayne (Don) Ping

Donald Wayne (Don) Ping died on February 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash., at the age of 97. He spent most of his life living in Lacrosse, Wash., with his wife of more than 70 years, Marie. His spirit now happily joins Marie's, who died just four months earlier, in October 2022.

Don was born to Albert and Lucy Ping on February 14, 1926, in his aunt & uncle's house in Lacrosse. He was the oldest of five siblings. Like most kids during the Great Depression, Don worked every summer, from the time he was 12, for various farmers or for the Lacrosse Grain Growers. He loved playing sports, especially football and baseball, and he hunted and fished from an early age to bring wild game home to the family. As a senior, he was the offensive center and defensive guard on Lacrosse High School's 1943 undefeated football team. After his 18th birthday, during his senior year, Don decided to leave school and join the US Army. His infantry company was part of the First and Third Armies in World War II, and saw combat during the last three months of the war in southern Germany and western Austria. After his service discharge in 1946, he received his high school diploma and was employed at the Whitman County Road Department in Lacrosse. After one year with the County, Don became a grader operator and remained in that job until he retired in 1980.

Don was an excellent marksman, especially with his shotgun. He was on the Lacrosse/Endicott Gun Club team that won the WA State Trap Shooting Tournament in 1949. Don went perfect at 100 out of 100 clay pigeons during the tourney!

In the fall of 1951, a friend convinced Don to go on a double date, with a young lady named Marie Cousineau. Six months later, in March, 1952, they were married and moved into the house they then lived in for the next 70 years. They had three children, Julie (husband Gary) Simpson, Pullman, Wash., Steve (wife Wendy) Ping and Dawn (husband Bob) Sinclair, within three years! Don loved to raise chickens, either in his yard or at his mother's yard, and he was exceptionally gifted at raising vegetables. Coupled with his hunting successes, and Marie's tireless vegetable/fruit canning, the family always had plenty of great food to eat.

Don had a quiet personality, a quick smile and was very likeable. He was happy living in Lacrosse, leading what some would call a simple lifestyle. Until the mid-1970's, he worked all of his vacation time sacking seed-wheat at the Lacrosse Grain Growers; that pay was his "spending money" for the year. In his retirement years, he and Marie so enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Their door was always open!

Don is survived by his sister, Jennette Ping (Lacrosse); his brother and sister-in-law, Vic and Lois Ping (Walla Walla); his three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his beloved wife Marie, he was predeceased by his brother, Ronald Ping, and his sister, Joann Barry.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Don's favorite charities in his name: check written to Special Olympics Washington and sent to Whitman County Cougars % Debbie Niehenke. 851 Niehenke Rd., Colton, WA 99113. Also Lacrosse Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 258, Lacrosse, WA 99143. A celebration of life will be held for both Marie and Don Ping on May 13th at 11 am at the MasonicTemple in Lacrosse.

Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com