Donald L. Grenfell

HAMILTON - Donald Lloyd Grenfell, 72, entered into rest on March 4, 2012 following injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident. He was born to Nicholas and Georgia (Taylor) Grenfell on September 3, 1939, in Missoula, MT.

Don attended schools in Stevensville, Corvallis and graduated from Darby High School. He played basketball, football and tennis during school. After graduating in 1957, he attended college in Pocatello, Idaho, enrolling in aeronautical structural engineering.

After schooling he married Marcella Spracklin. From this union, three sons were born, Ivan, Tim and Darrin. Don and Marcella later divorced.

In 1966, Don married the love of his life, Lola. He became father to her four sons, Douglas, James, Val and Michael, whom he welcomed with open arms. He adopted them and raised them as his own. Don and Lola loved their family of seven sons, enjoying many adventures with them.

Don worked in the logging industry before joining the Forest Service in 1972. He worked in the engineering department and operated heavy equipment, primarily maintaining roads in the West Fork of the Bitterroot and Magruder Corridor. This period of time left him with a number of loyal and treasured friends.

Don retired in 2003 and retirement offered him the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream of fishing in Alaska, Canada, Montana, Idaho and any river he crossed in between. Fall months found him parked on the Clearwater and Snake Rivers. Camping and road trips in the back country were an annual event. He enjoyed being with close friends, always looking for the unknown.

Don most enjoyed spending time with family and friends and teaching his sons to fish, ski, hunt, boat and snowmobile. He filled the boys full of lies as he tried to make them believe the story of "The Big One That Got Away". Eventually, grandchildren arrived. Don spent all of his energy teaching, teasing and chasing the boys around the state and beyond to watch them play soccer, basketball, baseball and wrestle. The girls entertained him with tap dance, jazz, ballet, basketball, softball, track and soccer. Don was a wonderful grandparent to his twenty grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Don was a devoted son, father, grandfather and a loving husband. Don valued each member of his family for their individuality. We love you Don. Fish long and ride hard.

Don is survived by his loving wife Lola; sons, Douglas (Kara Anne), James, Val (Ronda), Ivan (Wendy), Tim, Michael and Darrin (Susan); grandchildren, Nicholas, Kallan, Nolan, Kathryn, Ladd, Cyndi , Melissa, Joshua, Lindzee, Carey (Justin), Taylor, Cody, Jordan, Cassandra (Steven), Christian, Sarah, Kara Leigh, Alyssa, Laura and Natalie; great-granddaughter, Kennidi Cooper; sister, Patricia Grenfell and niece Audrey; special family members, Laura, Linda, Jolene, Alizabeth, Christina, Diana and Sharon.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Don's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Emma's House or to Habitat for Humanity.