Donald Martin Hickethier
1933 — 2014
Donald Martin Hickethier, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died July 19, 2014, of natural causes.
Don was born in Panama to Henry H. Hickethier and Ruth Hickethier (nee Goucher).
Don was raised in Texas, Missouri and San Diego while his father served in the Navy. Don graduated from Grossmont High School, San Diego, in 1949 and San Diego State University in 1954, where he met Mary M. Quinones. They were married in 1954 and had five children.
Don went to work for the First National Bank of California, transferring to the Oceanside California branch in 1960, working first as a loan officer, and later, as branch manager.
In the 1970s he went to work for South Coast Asphalt in Oceanside (later Hanson’s Aggregates), first as its CFO and later, as his expertise in the field grew, as its regulatory affairs manager.
Through all these efforts he was well known by most of the local city council and government officials. Don worked on various projects until retiring at the age of 76 as a consultant for Escondido Sand and Gravel.
Through Don’s second wife, Clara Joann, Don discovered the San Juan Islands and became a regular visitor, often staying for the holiday season and most of the summer at Joann’s mother’s house, on Mill Road, in the 1980s and 90s. Don built his and Joann’s dream island home on Cattle Point Road in 1998.
Don and Joann had a close circle of friends and family, becoming regulars at the VFW Hall (the Club) and attending numerous civic activities. Don was also an enthusiastic supporter of the San Juan Historical Society, and during the winter months Don and Joann “kept in touch” by entertaining any friends and family from the island who would venture south for a visit to their Oceanside, Calif. home.
Don loved a good party, fishing, hunting, and “hanging” with his many friends, family and neighbors. He loved and could cook seafood, chili and venison in all forms. He was well known for his generosity, sense of humor, and love of the outdoors (at least if it wasn’t too cold or wet).
Don was predeceased by his second wife, Clara Joann Hickethier, mother-in-law Juanita Rouleau (nee Egeland) and son Martin Hickethier.
He is survived by his former wife Mary Hickethier, his daughters Sharon Henry (Terry) of Oceanside, Calif., Betsy Allen of Carlsbad, Calif, his sons Don Hickethier of Oceanside, Calif., Fred Hickethier of San Francisco, Calif., stepson Phil Fuehr of Edmonds, Wash., stepdaughter Pam Fuehr of Friday Harbor, Wash., eight grandchildren, one great-grandson, and his best friend and brother-in-law, Ed (Barbara) Rouleau of Friday Harbor, Wash.
Don’s family will be holding a Celebration of Life to remember their dad and grandfather. We hope all his friends and family will grab their lawn chairs and come share their favorite stories of Don on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Three Corners Lake, one of Dad’s favorite places to chill with Ed and the folks.
All who knew him are welcome, where we’ll be tipping a final toast to him and his ‘wet weasels.’ If possible, please RSVP at 760-716-8583.
His family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers who allowed us to bring dad up several more years after his health weakened; they provided him with great quality of life. Also, we thank the Mullis Senior Center, where he enjoyed many, many lunches and the awesome services provided.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in his name to the San Juan Historical Society (http://sjmuseum.org/get-involved/donate/)
— Family of Donald Hickethier
