On April 20, 2016, Donald Neil Lakin went home to be with his Lord Jesus, after a valiant fight with cancer. He was born May 19, 1944, to Glenn and Marie Lakin in Pratt, Kan. Don lived on a dairy farm, until his family moved to Pawnee Rock, Kan., in 1957, where he attended high school and began to develop a talent for running.
After graduating from Pawnee Rock High School in 1962, he continued to pursue his love of running at Fort Hays State University, where he was a five-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American in Cross Country and Track. He was the NAIA National Steeple-Chase champion in 1966 and was inducted into the Fort Hays State University Hall of fame in 1988. He ran in the Pikes Peak Marathon twice, winning in 1964 and also competed in the 1968 Olympic Marathon Trials. While in the Army from 1966-1969, Don participated on the All-Army track team and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
On June 11, 1966, Don married the love of his life, Rita Jane Humble and they made their home on a 40 acre farm in Chehalis, Wash., where they raised their three daughters. Don was a teacher and a coach at W. F. West High School for 32 years, not only developing champions, but encouraging students and athletes to achieve their best. After retiring in 2002, he started Newaukum Agricultural Services, where he loved building fences and making friends.
Don was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Chehalis, teaching, serving and sharing his faith. Don’s love of the Lord and compassion for others led him to serve his community and lend a helping hand to whoever needed one. He was a member of Two Town Tuners Barbershop Chorus, where his love of singing and telling jokes brought joy to many. He treasured spending time with his family, camping, traveling and sitting around a campfire. Don was a positive and generous man, husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, who loved life and never knew a stranger. He will be greatly missed.
Don is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rita; daughters, Lisa (Mark Winterer) of Electric City, Wash., Dara (Matt) Pickens of Union, Ore. and Erin (Mike) Zahn of Olympia, Wash.; grandchildren, Rachel, William, Eli, Silas and Abel; sister, Glenda (Bob) Nuebel of Dunkerton, Iowa; brother, Dean (Greta) of Pawnee Rock, Kan.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Marie Lakin; and his stepmother, Ena Lucille Lakin.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m,, at First Baptist Church in Chehalis, with a reception to follow at W. F. West High School Commons at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church, 1866 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis WA 98532 or the Chehalis Bearcat Booster Club, 297 Middle Fork Rd., Chehalis WA 98532.
