Don "Bones McClintock

"Bones" Don McClintock, 68, lifelong Colfax resident, unexpectedly passed away while enjoying one of his favorite holidays, the Fourth of July, 2024.

Rosary will be recited on Saturday, July 13th, at 9:30 AM, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Colfax, WA, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00 AM. Thereafter, Inurnment will take place at the Colfax Cemetery.

Reception to follow at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds. 12:00-3:00 p.m. for a celebration of life. Please bring your appetites, memories and stories.

Donald Ray McClintock was born in Colfax, Wash., to Stanley and Lynne Johnston McClintock. He was the oldest child with two younger sisters, Trudy and Lori. His thin, tall and lanky stature in High School earned the nickname "Bones" and the moniker endured. His clothing trademark was his Levi button front jeans and signature high top converse tennis shoes.

Bones' work ethic and community involvement began early in life. He worked for Norm Willson Tractor throughout high school and after graduating from Colfax High School in 1975, he began a lifelong career with Arrow Machinery (now Pape'). He started at the parts counter and eventually transitioned to sales. In his 50-year career he had countless customers, many of whom became lifelong friends. He retired in June 2022 but remained a familiar face as he continued to help out when needed. Bones contributed countless hours to sustain his family's role in mowing and maintaining the Colfax city parks.

Bones dated Elaine Morris in High School and they happily married October 2, 1976. They soon started a family with the birth of their daughter Briana in 1980 followed by their son Derek in 1982. Anyone that knew Bones knew his family was his pride and joy. The family enjoyed many camping trips around the region, annual treks to the Oregon Coast, boating on the Snake River, and anything that had to do with motorcycles or snowmobiles. The family liked to snow ski at 49 Degrees North, Schweitzer, and take many trips in their motorhome. Countless stories could be told of all the time Bones had to spend repairing the RV so they could go on to the next adventure.

Bones was an Eagle Scout and a favorite memory was the eighth grade trip to the 'World Jamboree' in Japan. He was a longtime member of the Colfax Volunteer Fire Department and was an EMT on the ambulance. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge. He was very active in the planning and construction of McDonald Park and served on the Park Board for many years. He worked on pit crew for the Two-Pump Chump Sprint Boat race team. He coached basketball for Briana, Derek's little league, as well as ran the chains for the High School football team and chaperoned multiple school events for his children. Bones was an unselfish giver of his time and talents-many friendships were blessed by his tremendous generosity. It was very rare to catch Bones in a bad mood. Many refer to him as the "nicest man they had ever known".

He was a proud grandpa to his 4 grandchildren and loved to attend their sporting events whenever he could. He would beam with delight when hearing stories of their accomplishments even when he wasn't able to be there in person. He was a "great talker" and could visit with anybody. Bones was well known in the family for his "gator" dance moves and the receptions were never complete until he had his time on the dance floor. He loved apple pie with cheese on it and he could tell you the best cafés or diners to stop at anywhere in Whitman County.

Bones had big plans for the future. He was looking forward to many more family trips with his grandchildren, snowmobile trips to Canada, McCall and Wyoming. The iconic purple and pink "Barbie" boat was an absolute favorite pastime of his, camping at Boyer, and spending time on the water were special times for family and friends alike. It's a small consolation that he passed while doing something he loved so much.

He will be missed by the entire community; but undoubtedly the most by his wife Elaine "Maynard" of 47 years; their two children Briana (Jay) Kimble of Pomeroy, Wash., and Derek (Darcy) McClintock of San Diego, Calif .; four grandchildren, Sage and Haven Kimble, Dash and Denali McClintock; by his mother, Lynne, Colfax, Wash., and by his two sisters, Trudy (Gary) Libey and Lori McClintock both of Colfax. He was preceded in death by his father, Stan, in 2015.

The family suggests memorial gifts in his memory be to 'McDonald Park' in Colfax or to the 'Bones McClintock Memorial Scholarship for Agriculture' care of the Colfax Schools Foundation at 223 N. Main Street, Colfax, WA 99111.

On-line guest book is at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com. Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family.