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Donald F. Sheely

1931-2017

Donald Floyd Sheely of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2017. He was born August 1, 1931, in Wenatchee, Washington, to H. Floyd and Jennie Thulon Sheely.

Don grew up in Grand Coulee, Washington. The Sheely family was one of the early residents there; father Henry was one of the first employees and hauled the first load of dirt on the Grand Coulee Dam project. The family home was there until 1964.

Don was in the local Boy Scout troop that climbed Glacier Peak; he earned the Eagle rank. He participated in sports, was a long-time paper carrier, and enjoyed hiking and hunting in the surrounding area. He had fond memories of this time and maintained contact with many of his classmates.

After graduating high school in 1949 he pursued a degree in civil engineering from Washington State College. He worked summers on projects associated with the dam. After spending time in the Army, Don returned to the Pacific Northwest and worked various jobs related to heavy construction and projects in London and Pakistan. He retired from a government contractor job at the Nevada Test Site.

He was preceded in death by wife, Frances; his parents; sister, Margaret Sheely Parker; and grandson, Mathew Sheely.

He is survived by sons, Alan (Candy) and Christopher (Susan) Sheely; stepsons, David and Douglas Hawkins; granddaughters, Hannah and Katlyn Sheely; sister, Dorothy Sheely Drain; and housemate and helper Bob Fisher.

Service was at Palm Mortuary, Henderson, Nevada, with internment in the Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada. Memorial donations in his name may be made either to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, or the charity of the donor's choice.

 

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