Donald Earl Elliott Obituary (1957 - 2016)

Donald "Don" Elliott, 58, of John Day passed away on Sunny Sunday July 24th enjoying time in the mountain with his wife. A graveside service will be held on Saturday July 30th at 10:00 AM at the Canyon City Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Nazarene Church in John Day. Don was born in Monte Vista, Colorado on August 31, 1957 to Lyle Walter Elliott and Glendia Arthueine Kentener; he was one of nine children. Don joined the Marines in 1974, becoming a skilled marksman and advancing to Corporal before leaving the Marines in 1977 to begin his family. During his time of service, he traveled to multiple countries including Japan, Germany, Korea and Australia, as well as being stationed in San Diego, California and Hawthorn, Nevada. While in the Marines, he became an avid chess player competing in chess tournaments around the world. His main occupation was a professional truck driver; most recently working for Triple L Trucking out of Gunnison, Utah. He loved to travel, meet new people, and see new places. He enjoyed fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, chess, card games, computer games, and spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids. He was a wonderful father of five children: Jamaica, Big Mat, Shawn-Marie, Michael, and Little Matt. Even though he only had five children, he took in and helped many others. He had a heart of gold and was the first one to offer help when needed. According to his children he: could be stern and blunt at times but loved to joke around; he was so thick of sarcasm that you had to smile even though you were mad; he always smelled of syrup due to loving pancakes; every dinner he made he made the comment "good enough to make a turd". He was so full of life you never knew what he would come up with next. Don is survived by his wife Nancy Elliott, his five children: Jamaica (Gene) Mangum of Richfield, UT; Big Mathew (Marianne) of Redmond, OR; Shawn-Marie (Lucas) Andrew of Baker City, OR; Michael Kraus of Tualatin, OR; and Little Matthew of Corvallis, OR. He was the proud Papa Don of seven grandkids (Chad, J'Coby, and KaytLyn - McKenna - Elliott, Aiden, and Jacob). He is also survived by six of his siblings: Larry, Beryl, Arthur, Viola, Lilly, and Belinda. He was preceded in death by his Father Lyle, and two of his sisters: Iris and Arlene. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Don Elliott Memorial Fund through the Old West Federal Credit Union. Arrangements are under the care of Driskill Memorial Chapel 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845.