Donald Earl Bodenhamer's Obituary
Don was the youngest of five children born to Albert and Lucille Bodenhamer in Tacoma, WA on July 6, 1929. After a long and courageous battle with congenital heart issues, complications from diabetes, and a recent cancer diagnosis, he went to be with the Lord at 10:16 a.m., on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. After attending Stadium High School in Tacoma, Don joined the U.S. Army and served for 25 years before retiring in 1970 as a Sergeant First Class (SFC). During his military service, he was in Europe just after World War II, where he served with the Military Police (MP's), as well as Norway, Japan, Korea, and throughout North America. On August 9, 1952 at Fort Dix, NJ, Don married Ruth Matthews of Gilberton, PA. Ruth also served in Korea as a M.A.S.H. nurse and left the Army upon their marriage. They were married for 56 wonderful years before she passed away in 2007. During their time together, the military took them to Salzburg, Austria, Panama's Canal Zone, the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, and Fort Lewis, WA, before finally settling in the Lakewood, WA area when Don retired from the military in 1970. In 1971, Don entered the Clover Park Vocational & Technical School and earned a food management degree. Shortly thereafter, he went to work at Western State Hospital in Steilacoom, WA. During a 25-year career there, Don worked his way up to the Food Manager 4 position, where he was responsible for a large staff and all food service operations. He was an excellent cook and especially enjoyed barbecuing steaks in the backyard. Don was a lifelong, avid fisherman, making many trips with his sons and fishing buddies to Westport, Commencement Bay, and Sekiu on salmon fishing outings. The entire family would often venture out to American Lake on their boat for some trout fishing and waterskiing on warm summer days. Don found his greatest joy in following the military career of his oldest son Todd who is a retired Air Force Colonel, walking the fairways with his middle son John and being a part of his numerous tournament wins on the golf course, and out-of-town fishing adventures with youngest son Don, Jr. Don was a sports enthusiast and especially enjoyed watching football, golf, tennis and baseball. He was a lover of animals, especially the family dogs: Hanzi a Boxer, Sabre a Doberman-Pinscher, and in recent years, four successive Boston Terriers, each affectionately named "Mr. Henry Higgins." Upon full retirement, Don found his greatest joy in spending time with his four grandchildren, volunteering from time to time with the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Washington State Golf Association, taking long walks with his dog and celebrating family birthdays and holidays. Don was a loving husband, father and "Pop-Pop." Thanks to Ruth, he was a Christian man who is now reunited with his "Ruthie." He was also a proud Mason and a true American patriot who dearly loved and faithfully served his country. He was a strong, humble and loyal man who poured out love and respect to family and friends.
Don is survived by sisters Verna Hearron of Renton, WA; Dorothy Swanson of Gig Harbor, WA; sons Todd of Ashburn, VA; John of Maple Valley, WA; Don of Lakewood, WA; and grandchildren Todd Bodenhamer, Jr.; Alissa Farias; John Bodenhamer, Jr.; and Megan Bodenhamer. Funeral services with full military honors will be conducted at Tahoma National Cemetery in Maple Valley, WA on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are welcome. The family encourages remembrances be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society at 800-344-4867 or [email protected].
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