A WSU Cougar fan for over 80 years, Howard "Don" Skelton passed into the eternal Palouse on August 31, 2018 in Bellevue WA at the age of 98. Don was born April 27, 1920 to Otis Skelton and Gilmer Goins in Doty WA. He spent his early years in White Bluffs, WA (now part of the Hanford Reservation). A graduate of White Bluffs High School, Don went on to Washington State College where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering. After graduation Don worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. During this time, he met Mary Jane Brown in Ephrata, WA. Don and Mary Jane were married in June of 1951. Don's dream of having his own farm happened in 1955. Don and Mary Jane were one of the original settlers in Block 15 of the Columbia Basin Project north of Pasco. They raised their five children there, as well as a variety of crops, before finally installing a cherry orchard and vineyard. With a growing family in the early 60s, Don decided to go to work for the Army Corps of Engineers in addition to farming. Don helped build many of the dams on the Snake River, starting with Ice Harbor, before ending his career at Lower Granite. An offer of early retirement allowed him to return to farming full time in 1973. He continued farming until Mary Jane retired in 1981. They took numerous trips around the US before deciding to become snowbirds in Mesa AZ. For the next 25 years, Don delighted in sharing the AZ winter weather report with his family in Washington. Mary Jane passed away in 2004. Don continued to winter in Mesa for a few years before finally moving to the Puget Sound area to be nearer to family. Don is survived by his children, Mary Watland (Steve), Ed Skelton (Mary), Patti Skelton McGougan (Drew), Susan Skelton, and Ken Skelton. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Katie Watland, Geoff Watland, Sonja Punch, Alix Braund, and Chris Skelton; great granddaughters, Aaliyah and Ashlynn, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life, with lunch to follow, will be held on October 13, 2018 at 12:30 pm at the farm, 1059 Cottonwood Dr. Pasco. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the WA chapter of American Parkinson Disease Association or Youth Eastside Services in Bellevue WA.