Donald Kenneth Weedin

Donald Kenneth Weedin passed away peacefully at his home at Liberty Shores in Poulsbo on March 20, 2011, surrounded by his family.

Don was born in Bremerton, WA on February 10, 1925 to Max (Sr.) and Phyllis Weedin. He grew up in the Manette area and loved to ride his bicycle, explore the area he called "God's Country," and read a book sitting in his favorite tree.

Don left high school the day after his 17th birthday in 1942 to enlist in the Navy and enter World War II. After boot camp in San Diego, he was sent to radio school in Denver, and then off to the Atlantic theater where he was part of the North African invasion aboard the USS Howard.

On June 21, 1958, Don arrived at his new duty station at the United States mission in Bogota, Colombia. It was there he would meet the love of his life, Alicia Gonzalez. They were married on December 26, 1958 in the Gonzalez family home in Bogota.

After 30 years in the Navy, Don retired in 1973 in Oak Harbor, WA. He and Alicia lived in the same house there for 34 years before moving to Poulsbo in 2003. After the Navy, Don worked for the Oak Harbor School District for 16 years, and then volunteered there for many years after.

Don eventually graduated from North Kitsap High School in 2007 with his granddaughter, Mindy Weedin. As a veteran who sacrificed his schooling for country, Don was eligible for a state program that entitled him to be honored with a diploma from either his former high school, or the one where he currently lived. Don was thrilled to be able to share this experience (63 years delayed) with his granddaughter.

Don was an avid genealogist and traced his family tree back to the 1300's. His work revealed that he was eligible to join the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), which he did in 2002. Don was a charter member of the newly formed Captain John Paul Jones chapter in Kitsap County in 2010.

Don is survived by his wife of 52 years Alicia; his sister Gloria Balshaw of Hurricane, WV; his children Les Weedin (Karen) of Charlestown, IN, Kathy Vuckel (Jim) of Auburn, WA, Rita Paradise of Tacoma, and Dan Weedin (Barbara) of Poulsbo; and grandchildren Ann Delaney, Hank Weedin, Gail Bailey, Yvonne Reed, Howard Reed, Heidi Hill, Pam Taylor, Rachel Cline, Dan Jackson, Dawn Wilson, Deanna Nicole Carbonneau, Mindy Weedin, and Kelli Weedin. He also leaves behind 19 great-grandchildren. Don was an active member of St. Olaf Catholic Church in Poulsbo, the John Paul Jones chapter of the SAR, and the Knights of Columbus. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Max Jr. and Leslie.

Funeral services will be on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:00 am at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Poulsbo. The funeral Mass is preceded by a rosary at 10:30 and followed by a reception. There will be a full military burial at Cherry Grove Memorial Park in Poulsbo at 2:00 pm.

Donations may be made in Don's name to St. Vincent DePaul Society, the John Paul Jones Chapter of the SAR, or Hospice of Kitsap County.