Lane Young Donaldson passed away in the arms of Jesus in the early hours of June 25, 2021, at the age of 78. Lane was born September 28, 1942 in Forest Grove, OR to Robert G. and Elma M. (Brown) Donaldson. Lane joined his older sister Berta Donaldson. The family moved to Portland, OR when Lane was very young, where he grew up until leaving for college in 1960. At the age of 12, Lane's parents divorced, and he became the man of the house helping his mother and sister. Despite his additional responsibilities at a young age, he had a full and adventurous childhood. He found joy in the many jobs he had as he helped with the family finances. He raised chickens, had an egg route, raised goats and sold the milk to local mothers with newborns, and, of course, he mowed lawns. Lane's father continued to be in his life after the divorce, and taught him many life skills which stayed with Lane through his entire life. His dad was a skilled carpenter and painter, who taught Lane to paint perfectly. By perfectly, Robert Donaldson meant just that. As a result, Lane required perfection for himself and anyone else he taught. As a union shop steward for the Teamsters, Robert Donaldson also had a penchant for play, teaching his children how to snow ski at a very young age. Skiing was one of Lane's true loves, and he helped his father build a family cabin in Government Camp, OR allowing them to ski Mt. Hood as often as possible. One of Lane's fondest memories with his dad was when they went to the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley. Lane continued to work odd jobs during high school including being a box boy at the very first Albertson's to open in Portland. Lane graduated from Gresham High School in the Spring of 1960 and went on to be a University of Oregon Duck later that fall. Ever the entrepreneur, Lane started a painting business to help fund his schooling and living expenses. During his sophomore year, his mother became very ill, and he relocated her to Eugene to care for her. Ultimately, the combined pressure of school, running a business, and taking care of his mother, forced Lane to leave the university. To continue supporting his mother, he started selling new cars and continued to run his painting business. In 1962, working for Lew Williams Chevrolet in Eugene, Lane met Judith Walther, who worked in the business office at the dealership. Upon first sight, by Lane's account of the story, he decided he would marry her someday (that has not been "fact checked" though). He asked her out on several occasions, but it was company policy that there was to be no fraternization amongst employees. At least that's what Judy said when she repeatedly denied his requests. However, he asked her one time if she would like to go skiing. She replied she didn't know how. He responded, "I'll teach you", and the rest was history. Respecting the rules of the dealership, Lane transferred to another dealership, and they were married December 18, 1965 just as the Vietnam War was escalating. Due to a childhood disease in his right eye leaving him "legally" blind, he was deferred from service. Shortly after they married, the Donaldson's relocated to McMinnville, OR after Lane was offered a management position at the local Chrysler dealership. Climbing the corporate ladder at the dealership in Eugene, Judy was offered a job at Lew Williams Cadillac in Portland. The daily commute to Portland proved tedious, and so they moved to Portland where Lane took a job with the Charles Lilly Company. In 1968, they had their first child, Aaron, followed by the birth of their daughter Amy in 1971. Judy was now a full-time mother and Lane, loving all things in sales, was offered a job from a businessman at their church, which put him on the path to his life's career. Paramount Supply Company, an industrial supply company dealing in valves, pipe, fittings, etc., needed a new salesperson for the Pacific NW, and Lane, dove in with passion and vigor. Eventually, Paramount wanted to expand into eastern Washington and asked Lane to manage the new location in Kennewick, WA. The family relocated in 1974. After urban living for so long, the dusty, windy desert of the Tri-Cities was a bit of a shock to Judy, but this was to be Lane's destiny. It was during this time, when the children were growing up in Tri-Cities, that Lane was able to do things with Aaron and Amy as they grew. Teaching both kids to ski, at an early age, was a huge delight to Lane, and one that has lasted in both their lives. Lane would often talk how they could both beat him down the black run, even though it tweaked his competitive spirit. Lane coached the kids in T-Ball, and other sports. He took them camping and fishing, and was in the stands at all of their games. Lane and Judy put a pool in the back yard of the Kennewick home, which became a magnet to all of the Donaldson kid's friends until they went off to college. (Lane liked floating in front of the heated water inlet). Lane's entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to leave Paramount Supply and start his own company in the same industry. Through sheer perseverance and will-power, Lane built his business to what it is today, a prosperous wholesale distribution company, servicing accounts nationwide. This is Lane's story. A story of working hard and striving, not for his own glory, but to help others achieve success as well. He helped the new, young people working for the company today, to have the same dreams and aspirations as he did so many years before. Lane is survived by his wife Judy of 55 years, his son Aaron, daughter Amy, and son-in-law Corey Sweigart as well as his grandchildren, Hunter Donaldson, Sierra Donaldson, McKenna Donaldson, Norah Donaldson-Sweigart, and Lane Donaldson-Sweigart, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Laura Walther. Lane was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Elma Donaldson, and sister Berta Donaldson. Funeral services will be held on July 17, 2021 at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union St., Kennewick, WA 99338 at 11:00am. An open-house/memorial will take place at Judy and Lane's home immediately following the service. All are welcome to come and share memories of Lane and fellowship. Our family would like to thank the staff at Callaway Gardens for the care and comfort they gave Lane in his last days. You are blessed. Please feel, if you are inclined, to give in Lane's name to: Chaplaincy Hospice Care, Richland, WA; or www.campyaketyyak.org . Camp Yakety Yak is a summer camp designed for developing skills in special needs kids. Lane had a special love in his heart for these kids.