Donald Ehlert

November 15, 1945 - October 24, 2007 Donald Thomas Ehlert was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and raised in Port Orchard, Washington by his parents Donald Sample Ehlert and Gloria Elaine Green-Ehlert. He loved horses, hotrods and ocean fishing. In 1962, Donnie left South Kitsap high school to join the Army. He served his country for 3 years completing tours in Korea and Vietnam. After an honorable discharge, Donnie returned to Port Orchard where he married his sweetheart, Genie Poole. They were married for forty years. After 15 years of working in the Bremerton Shipyard, Donnie took his knowledge in Nuclear Power to several different states where he worked as a rent-a-tech. In 1983, he settled down in Richland, WA with his wife and three daughters. Upon learning he was sick, he took early retirement from Energy Northwest after 20 years of devoted workmanship as a health physics tech and drywell coordinator. So loyal and dependable, anyone that had the privilege to know Donnie has lost a true and amazing friend. A kind and gentle person, there was never an animal or a small child that didn't love him. Generous and compassionate, he would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you were in need. Forgiving and empathetic, he only saw the good qualities in the people around him. He dearly wanted to retire and to buy a sailboat that he could travel and fish from. This was a dream that the cancer stole, and we all hope that in his everlasting life it can be fulfilled. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Gloria Ehlert. He is survived by his wife, Genie; daughters, Lara Ehlert, Lesley (Jamin) Hull, and Rachel (James) Sall; his four brothers, Robert (Relma) Ehlert, Harold (Gloria) Ehlert, William Ehlert, and Daniel (Linda) Ehlert; Aunt Dorrie; Uncle Norm; Uncle Jim's wife Nancy and his grandchildren, Aryana, Devon, Isaiah, Sadie, Samantha, Michaela, James, and Noah Donald Thomas and numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends. The service will be held at Rill Funeral Home on Mitchell Road in Port Orchard, Washington. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the American Cancer Society or to Group Health Hospice. A special thanks to Anne Murphy, MD and staff at Olympia Oncology and Hematology, Hospice and especially Danny and Linda Ehlert for their endless, loving support.