Woodlawn Funeral Home Obituaries

Donald Curtis Shoemaker , Age: 96

May 17, 1926 - June 17, 2022

Donald Curtis Shoemaker, 96, peacefully passed away on June 17, 2022. Don was born on May 17, 1926,

in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Don graduated from Albuquerque High School and immediately

joined the Navy. He served in World War II. After he was discharged, he went on to study at the

University of New Mexico. In 1950, Don was called back into the Navy to serve during the

Korean War.

In the summer of 1947, Don traveled to Mt. Vernon, Washington with a friend to catch a fishing

boat headed to Alaska. They arrived too late and missed the boat, they later ended up working

in the fields in Mt. Vernon. He met Frances at the First Baptist Church. They were married on

June 18, 1948, and went on to have three children, Nicolette (Nicki), Thomas (Tom), and Donald

Jr. (Bud). From Mt. Vernon, the family relocated to Wenatchee, Washington and then to

University Place, Washington. After Nicki and Tom graduated from high school, Don, Frances,

and Don, Jr. moved back to Albuquerque for the next 20 years. Don made a career in the

banking industry. In 1991, he and Frances relocated to Lacey, Washington after they had both

retired. Don spent the next 26 years being an active volunteer in many different settings. He

volunteered in Nicki’s 4th grade classroom at Tenino Elementary School, he served in many

positions with Manufactured Housing Communities of Washington (MHCW) and on different

committees with TwinStar Credit Union. Don was a past E.R. in the Lakewood Elks and he

continued to remain active in the Elks well into his early 90’s. Don loved to garden, spend time

with his grandchildren and great grandchildren supporting them in their many different

activities. He was an avid reader and loved watching English murder mysteries on PBS! He was a

Washington Husky and a University of New Mexico Lobo fan.

Don was predeceased by his father John and mother Ledah, and his brother Rodney

Shoemaker, and daughter in-law Vici Shoemaker. He is survived by his sister Clara Grimes,

daughter Nicki Martonik (Don), and sons Thomas Shoemaker (Nancy) and Don Shoemaker, Jr.

(Kathleen). He is also survived by grandchildren Amy Russell (Ryan), Jami Peterson (Jason),

Rebecca Fitzpatrick (Thomas), Matthew Shoemaker (Jenny), Christian Shoemaker, and nine

great grandchildren, Cole, Blake, Ava, Bailey, Cassia, Tori, Addy, Milly, and Hayes.

A celebration of Life will be held on July 15, 2023, at 12 pm at the Mountain Greens Clubhouse

located at 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey, WA 98503. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations

be made to Elks National Foundation/Scholarships.

Additional Service: Celebration of Life

Location: Mountain Green Community Clubhouse

Address: 5280 55th Ln. SE

City: Lacey

State: Washington

Zip Code: 98503

Date of Service: July 15, 2023

Time of Service: 12:00 PM

Additional Information: No Additional Information Added

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