On January 24, 2022, Don McFerran passed away peacefully with his children by his side. Dad was reunited with his wife Joyce in eternity. He was a loving husband, father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Dad was born on December 24, 1928 to Milton and Elsie McFerran during the depths of the depression. Much of his early life was spent on the family homestead in Montana and for a short period he lived at the Jack Waite Mine in Northern Idaho.
In seventh grade the family moved to Spokane where he graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. He entered Whitworth College on a football scholarship and later found work at the Marshall Wells Hardware Company. He enlisted in the National Air Guard and was sent to England in support of the Berlin Air Lift.
He was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ Church) and more recently the Covenant Presbyterian Church. This is where he met his future wife Joyce, they raised three children and were happily married for 64 years before her passing in 2020. They lived in Spokane for a short time before moving to Kennewick, WA and then later moving to the Prosser/Grandview area.
Dad worked for Old National Bank, which later became US Bank for 35 years. Upon retiring, Dad and Mom spent much of their time traveling around the Country in their RV. He loved the outdoors and was an avid camper, fisherman and photographer. He was an extremely supportive father and grandfather and loved nothing more than to be surrounded by his family. He will also be remembered for his love of lapidary and jewelry making which he proudly gave to family and friends.
Dad was involved in his community and joined many civic organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Elks. He organized and started the first Grandview Grape Stomp. He served as President in both the Prosser and Grandview Rotary and also served as the area representative to coordinate activities of the clubs in the Lower Valley. He was also involved in the Junior Miss programs. He loved history and served on the Prosser Museum Board as President for several years.
He is survived by his three Children, Donna (Jerry) Hutchinson, James (Suzie) McFerran, and Jolene Bishop; 11 Grandchildren, Amanda, Katie, Kyle, Michael, Brandon, Blake, Tyler, Mackenzie, Jeffery, Matthew, and Alicia and 15 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents, Milton and Elsie McFerran, his brother Eugene McFerran, sister-in-law Frances McFerran, and three siblings who died in childhood.
Funeral Services for dad will be on February 5, 2022 at the Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. with graveside services immediately following. Viewing will be held Friday, February 4, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at the Prosser Funeral Home. In the event you are unable to attend the service it will be recorded and shown on the Church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Covenant Presbyterian Church, the Prosser Historical Museum or the charity of your choice in Dad’s memory.
The family would like to thank all of his friends who visited and kept in touch with dad over the last few months. Special thanks to his caregiver Paula and for all she did for him and the family.