Donald Bruce (Don) Plumlee

Donald Bruce (Don) Plumlee passed away peacefully Sept 9, 2020, at Hearthstone in Sandpoint, Idaho.

He was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Jan. 7, 1932, to Mary Almeda (Allie) Farmer Plumlee and Clifford Bruce Plumlee, the youngest of seven children. He attended school and started delivering newspapers with his father at the age of 8, driving the family car.

Don boxed competitively in high school. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force, married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Lipp, in August 1951. While stationed in Florida, their first child Susan was born December 1952.

After serving, he returned to Bonners Ferry and worked at Lenhart’s Service Station. Don and Dorothy went into business with her parents, Fred and Nell Lipp, buying The Western Aùto Store. Don worked hard and soon was able to buy the Lipps out, and ran it for 35 years until he retired.

Daughter Diane was born December 1954 and son Gary was adopted July 1964 as a newborn. Don was a volunteer ambulance driver, a member of the Jay Cees service organization, enjoyed hunting, traveling, spending summers at Cocolalla Lake south of Sandpoint, and raising Boston Terriers. Later Don and Dorothy were divorced.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Allie Plumlee; brothers, Jay Plumlee, Ray Plumlee, and Rex Plumlee; and sisters, Muriel Plumlee, Raffolita Royer and Miladean Inman.

Don is survived by daughters, Susan Johnson, Sandpoint, and Diane Flynn, Spokane, Wash.; and son Gary Plumlee, Kennewick, Wash.; former spouse Dorothy; grandchildren, Cory (Tawnya) Johnson, Jennifer Johnson (Ryan Owens), Sarah Johnson (Steven Mason), Allison (Wayne) Blehm, Kathleen (Jake) Aspenleiter, Jonathan (Kaylee) Williams, Garrett Plumlee and Ashley (Sean) Price; great-grandchildren, Jayken Johnson, Asher Owens, Camden Blehm, Emersyn Blehm, Logan Price, Charlie Price, Weston Williams and Eloise Williams; and his dog and companion Woody.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept 19, at Grand View Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, followed by a reception at Chic ’n’ Chop. Arrangements are being made by Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter, Bonners Ferry or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Boundary Community Hospital, Bonner General Hospital, care workers at Hearthstone Village, Hospice and Mick Mellett.