Donald Kerley of Kennewick, WA passed away on Thursday, Sept.16th, 2010 at Life Care Center in Kennewick. Don was born to Phoebe and Bernard Kerley on March 14, 1922 in El Paso, Texas. In his youth, Don was raised on the Kerley Cotton Farms in Ysleta, Texas. He was one of seven children. After high school, Don attended the College of Mines for two years and got a job at the El Paso airport to pay for his college. While at the airport, Don taught himself how to fly. He also met his best friend for life Roy Brooks. When World War II broke out, Don and Roy went to Ft. Stockton, TX to become flight instructors for the Air Force Cadets. From there they went to Sweetwater, TX to train the WASP Women?s Air Service Patrol. He joined the Army Air Force on Sept.11, 1942 where he trained as a cadet. At times, Don had more pilot hours than his instructors. Don married the love of his life Cherrye Ann Riggs of Ft. Stockton, TX on November 20, 1943. In 1944, he then went to San Angelo, TX for basic training and Pampa, TX for advanced flight training. While in the service he flew B-25s. Don and Cherrye moved to Monroe, LA where he was Honorably Discharged on Sept. 7, 1945. After the military, Don and Cherrye joined his brothers Barney, Bob, and Ralph in Clint, TX where they created the Kerley Chemical Company. In 1960, they moved to Kennewick in order to run the Kerley Chemical Plant in Finley, WA. The brothers sold the company and Don retired in 1985. During retirement, Don purchased and managed an orchard in Basin City. He also had a love for restoring old cars. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Cherrye of 66 years; his two children Donna Kerley-Williams and husband Donovan of Missoula, MT and Michael Kerley and wife Debbie of Boise, Idaho; his six beautiful grandchildren: Justin, Joel, Jacob, Brenda, Jill, and Paula; and eight precious great-grandchildren: Ashley, Michelle, Daniel, Holly, Cole, Brooke, Samuel, and Teagan. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all. Services have been held.