Lt. Col. Donald Richard Semon

Lt. Col. Donald Richard Semon

Born in Tacoma General Hospital April 14, 1925. Died Sept. 25, 2014.

Son of Homer (Ike) Semon and Maude Weston Semon.

Graduated from Lincoln High School, class of 1943. Played football for Amos Alonzo Stagg in Stockton, Calif., at the College of the Pacific. Graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1950. Joined the Marine Corps in 1942, fought in Korea, was reservist and trained troops at Camp Pendleton, Calif., commanding reservist officer at Sandpoint Naval Base.

Began teaching career in Bellevue, Wash., in 1955. He taught at Bellevue Junior High and Highland Junior High, was principal at Odle Junior High and coached football, track and wrestling at each.

He was active at Lincoln Park Christian Church, where he met and married Jessie Lenora Gosnell. They were active at University Christian Church in Seattle, Bellevue Christian Church, Issaquah Christian Church, several church families in Oak Harbor, Wash., and the Church at Patriot’s Landing in Dupont, Wash. They enjoyed First Christian Church of Port Orchard, Wash.

Preceded in death by a son, Donald Jr.; parents and stepmothers, Lois Johnson Semon and Betty Semon; brother, Robert (Doris) Semon; wife of 64 years, Jessie; daughter, Christine Lee Semon Burnett; several dear cousins; and too many dear friends.

Survived by brothers John (Maude) Gosnell, Richard (Margy) Semon, Tom (Pat) Semon; sister Evelyn (Don) Gosnell Townsend; beloved nieces and nephews; children Cathi (Jerry) Rogerson, Frank Burnett, Doug Semon, Pete (Lisa) Semon; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many dear old friends.

What dad really wants all to know: “I have been so blessed by the family and friends God has given me. No one has ever been as blessed as I have been by each and every one of you. I am very proud of all of my family and love each one very much. Thank you for being in my life.”

A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Issaquah Christian Church with a shelter service to be held at 2:15 p.m. at Tahoma national Cemetery in Kent, Wash., after the celebration of life service.