Desmond "Des" Joseph Whelan, 60, of Kennewick WA. left this world after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Des peacefully went to Heaven early on the morning of November 8th, 2016. Des was born May 7th,1956 in Long Beach, CA to Desmond J. Whelan Jr. and Marjorie A. (Milner) Whelan. His family moved to Huntington Beach, CA and resided there from 1968 - 1982. While living in coastal California Des graduated from Edison High School, studied at Orange Coast College and discovered his love for the great outdoors. His fondest memories included a beach, a board, and big waves. He moved to Tri-Cities, WA in 1983 where he worked in car and furniture sales before eventually starting his own business, Cut-n-Edge lawn care. It was in the Tri-Cities where he met his wife, Lori J. (Killand) Whelan, whom he married on August 2nd, 1988. He developed many interests including astronomy, geology, history and horticulture. Above all Des was devoted to the Bible, loved God, and his family. Throughout his cancer treatment, Des was especially grateful for the compassionate care and encouragement of Pastor Steve Ernst, Oncology Nurse Navigator Glenna Tucker, and the Trios Health Team. Des is preceded by his father Desmond and his brother Timothy. Des is survived by his wife Lori, his children Brett and Carmen, his mother Marjorie, four loving siblings Don, Joan, Doreen, and Sheila, his step-mother Kathy and other special family and friends. A memorial service will be Friday, November 18, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. at Richland Lutheran Church on Van Giesen and Stevens.