Lt. Col. Donald Richard Semon, USMC, Retired, died Sept. 25, 2014.
Donald Semon
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Issaquah Christian Church at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2014, with a Shelter Service to be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent at 2:15 p.m. after the Celebration of Life service.
He was born at Tacoma General Hospital on April 14, 1925, the son of Homer (Ike) Semon and Maude Weston Semon.
He graduated from Lincoln High School, class of 1943. He played football for Amos Alonzo Stagg in Stockton, California – College of Pacific. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1950.
Don joined the Marine Corps in 1942, fought in Korea, and was a reservist and trained troops at Camp Pendleton, California, commanding reservist officers at Sandpoint Naval Base.
He began his teaching career in Bellevue in 1955. He taught at Bellevue Junior High, Highland Junior High and was principal at Odle Junior High schools. He coached football, track and wrestling at each.
Donald 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; and the Church at Patriot’s Landing in Dupont. They also First Christian Church of Port Orchard.
Donald was preceded in death by son Donald Jr.; parents and stepmothers (Lois Johnson Semon and Betty Semon); brother Robert and Doris Semon; wife of 64 years, Jessie; daughter Christine Lee Semon Burnett; several dear cousins; and too many dear friends.
He is survived by his brothers John (Maude) Gosnell, Richard (Margy) Semon and Tom (Pat) Semon; sister Evelyn (Don) Gosnell Townsend; children Cathi (Jerry) Rogerson, Frank Burnett, Doug Semon and Pete (Lisa) Semon; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; beloved nieces and nephews; and many dear old friends.
What dad really wants everyone 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.”
Arrangements are by Mountain View Funeral Home. Remembrances may be shared at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.