Donald E. Boyer passed away suddenly on July 21, 2015, at the age of 85. Don was born in Oak Harbor on Nov. 25, 1929, to Jess and Myrtle (Estergreen) Boyer.

Don spent his childhood on the family farm and later worked in the family meat market on Pioneer Way. After graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1948 he attended Washington State College.

In the fall of 1950, Don announced his engagement to Norine Chiabai, who had reigned as Queen of the 1949 Anacortes Mariners Pageant. The Korean War started and Don enlisted in the Navy, serving four years aboard the USS Rooks DD-804 in the Korean Theater and circumnavigating the world.

On June 9, 1951, Don and Norine were married and made their first home in Newport, R.I. Norine, who passed away in November 1987, will always be remembered as the “Queen” by family and friends.

Don and Norine returned to Oak Harbor in 1954, where he was employed at the Oak Harbor Garage.

In 1959, Don opened Don’s Auto Sales, his first car dealership. In 1964, he purchased the local Chevrolet-Pontiac dealership and established its new facilities. Don acquired a great staff at his dealership, including Les Dams, who served for many years as dealership chaplain. Larry Boyer, Orlan Dean and Jim Slowik were general managers.

The many employees of the dealership over the years were proud of the honors and recognition they earned. Don’s accomplishments included president of the Skagit-Island Dealers Association and the Washington State Auto Dealers Association; Washington State Auto Dealers “Dealer of the Year” 1979; Time Magazine “Quality Dealer Award” 1982; U.S. Small Business Administration “Person of the Year” 1989; Lions International Zone Extension Award-1963; “Paul Harris Fellow” awarded by Rotary International; U.S. Secretary of the Navy the Honorable W. Graham Claytor “Meritorious Public Service Award”; U. S. Navy League National Director Emeritus-1995; Navy League of the U.S. “Hall of Fame”; president of the Oak Harbor School District Board of Directors; and a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Don’s family is very proud of his recognitions and his life memberships in the causes that were most meaningful to him. He was a member of the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church, Naval War College Foundation, Navy League of the United States, Association of Naval Aviation, Tailhook Association, Intruder Association, Oak Harbor and North Whidbey Lions (55 years), Oak Harbor Elks Lodge #2362 (56 years), Veterans of Foreign Wars (49 years) and American Legion George Morris Post #129 (64 years.)

With what little free time Don had, he enjoyed golf, boating and camping trips with family and friends, where they enjoyed hiking, fishing and campfires.

On March 4, 1989, Don married the former Suzanne Wittenberg. After his retirement on Nov. 5, 1993, Don and Suzanne enjoyed spending half of the year in Litchfield Park, Ariz., as members of the Wigwam Golf Club. They also spent two weeks every September at their timeshare in Whistler, B.C. They enjoyed boating for 10 years on their boat “The Peddler.”

Don is survived by his wife, Suzanne; Don’s children, Nikki (Tom) Braaten, Scott (Cindy) Boyer, Kari (Dave) Holmy, and Lesli (Phil) Schlaepfer; and Suzanne’s children, Jeff (Christa) Wittenberg and Lisa (Hans) Illingworth. Also surviving are grandchildren Matt and Alexa Holmly; Andrew, Christopher and Julia Schlaepfer; Carter, Grace and Mason Wittenberg; and Parker, Ava and Charlie Illingworth. Don was preceded in death by first wife, Norine, and brothers Jack, Larry and Lane.

The family suggests memorials to the Navy League of the United States, Oak Harbor Council, P.O. Box 847, Oak Harbor, 98277. They also wish to express their deepest appreciation to the caregivers who provided assistance to Don in the final years of his life.

Funeral services for Don will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Vonna Thomas officiating.

Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. All are invited to a reception in Centennial Hall following the burial.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home.

To leave condolences or share memories, please visit Don’s Book of Memories page on the funeral home website at www.wallinfuneral home.com