Donald Ray DeArmond, 88, of Grangeville, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, after working the previous day on his family farm on a beautiful fall day.
Don was born June 20, 1935, in Cottonwood, to Will and Marie DeArmond. He attended his early school years in a one-room schoolhouse, riding a mule to and from school in what was described as uphill both ways. He later graduated from Grangeville High School in 1953. Don always said he went to the school of hard knocks, his school colors being black and blue. He recently attended his 70th year high school class reunion.
Don married Charlotte Jungert on June 20, 1954. They celebrated 69 years of marriage this past June. Don always let his family know that his birthday, anniversary and Father’s Day were on same the day. They went on to have four children.
Don was a third-generation farmer on the Camas Prairie. He began farming in 1954 with his dad, officially purchasing his father’s farm equipment in the early 1960s for $12,000. Being a part of the heart of Idaho’s agriculture on the Camas Prairie, Don and Charlotte were honored with a Century Farm designation in 2012, in a celebration attended by many family and friends, a milestone designated by the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Historical Society.
Don was active and played a longtime integral role in the Idaho County Farm Bureau. In the 1970s he served on the state board of directors, traveling annually to Ketchum, with his family in tow. He was always recruiting young farmers into the Farm Bureau organization. Don was also recognized as the Outstanding Young Farmer by the local Jaycees in 1970.
Don enjoyed hunting and fishing and annual summer horseback fishing trips with the guys (family and friends). These trips were a favorite for everyone, taking place between haying and harvest, many times including a newbie who got to experience Don’s fishing trips. These were truly classic.
Don and Charlotte enjoyed being a part of the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club, more specifically Chapter 14 of the Inland Northwest Crawlers. This tied in nicely with Don’s free time after retiring in 2003 as he began restoring his current collection of Cat and John Deere collection of gas and diesel crawlers and wheel tractors, including a 1935 RD4 that his dad bought new for $1,900. His collection of antique tractors included at least eight Cats and four-wheel tractors.
Don and Charlotte have collected/assembled a private museum, with items dating back to the late 1800s. Included in the museum are Cat and John Deere tractors, 1930 and 1937 Ford trucks, various household items (toys, clothing, appliances, hand tools, political memorabilia) accumulated by both families. There are well over 2,000 items.
Don was an active member of the Grangeville Christian Church for over 50 years. He loved the pastor and the entire church family, and especially cherished his time with the two men’s groups, Men Under God (MUG) and Chat n’ Chew. He also served on many church committees over the years.
After retiring, Don and Charlotte enjoyed traveling with family and friends.
Don loved his family and countless friends. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, kids Vonda (Ed), Susie (Tom), Brent (Ma) and Clark (Aura). Don had five grandchildren: Emily (Adam), Abby (deceased), Parker (Danielle), Carrie (Brett) and Isabella; two great-grandchildren, Charlie and Scarlett, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Grangeville Christian Church followed by a light lunch. The graveside service will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hope Center, 113 W. North St., Grangeville, ID 83530, and the Grangeville Christian Church, 402 W. South First St., Grangeville, ID 83530.
