Obituary of Donald Harmon Maben

Donald Harmon Maben (64) of Washougal, Washington passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 19, 2023, after a year-long battle with cancer.

Donald, known as Dewey to his family, and Don to his friends, was born on April 24, 1959, in North Tonawanda, New York to Donald M. Maben and Wilma M. Maben. Growing up, he lived in the Philippines and throughout the United States during his father's Air Force career. Eventually, the family settled back in their hometown of Bradford, Pennsylvania where Don finished his last 4 years of schooling, graduating from Bradford Area High School in 1977. Immediately following high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and began his 8-year career as an Aircraft Armament Specialist. He was assigned to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for Basic Training, then Lowry Air Force base, Colorado for Technical Training School, then to Pease Air Force base New Hampshire. From there he was stationed at Hahn Air Force base, Germany, then to George Air Force base California, where he eventually met Tammy. Less than 10 months after the couple started dating, they were married on June 23, 1984.

After getting out of the Air Force Don held a few different jobs, including working at a cement plant and hanging drywall, he was also a stay-at-home dad for almost 3 years while Tammy was stationed overseas at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base, England. Once the family returned to the states, and was stationed at Edwards Air Force base, California, he returned to construction, hanging drywall. He continued in the drywall field after the couple moved home to Washington State in 1993. He joined Fractal Inc. in 1995 and worked in their shipping department until joining Tammy at North Coast Electric in 2000 where he worked in the warehouse until he was medically retired in August of 2023.

The couple had 3 children, Donald Joseph, who was called home to the Lord in 1986, Jeremy David born in 1988, and Michael Lee born in 1989. Don was an exceptional father and loved spending as much time with the boys as possible up to the day the Lord called him home.

He enjoyed and excelled in many hobbies including photography, fishing, camping, hiking, spending time in the outdoors, riding his motorcycle, being on the water on both the boat and the wave runner and collecting old cameras. He loved music! He was always listening to something; rock, blues, jazz, and even some country, but classic rock was his favorite. He was a very accomplished cook, especially when it came to barbecue. He loved bowling and bowled in many leagues growing up. Later as an adult he & Tammy league bowled together and instilled the joy of bowling to their boys. Don enjoyed spending time with his family and with friends. Every year the couple would host several parties and Don was always the life of the party. He had a wonderful sense of humor and people loved being around him. He cherished time with his wife, his sons and their wives, his granddaughter, Brooke, his extended family, and his friendships. He loved the Lord and was active in his bible study group where he formed deep, cherished friendships. He was loved by all who knew him. Don impacted his world in many beautiful, joyful, and loving ways and he will be missed immensely.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy Maben, of 39 years, his son, Jeremy Maben (Chelsea), of Longview, WA., Michael Maben (Jenny) and granddaughter, Brooke Maben, of Vancouver, WA., Sister, Beth Eck (Jim) of Bradford, PA, Sister, Cindy Inzana (Ernie) of Standardsville, VA., and brother Larry Maben (Pattie) of Limestone, NY, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Donald Joseph Maben, his father, Donald Meryle Maben, his mother Wilma Maxine Maben, and many other beloved family members.

The funeral was held at Straub's Funeral Home Camas, WA. on Nov. 25, 2023. A private graveside service is to be held at a later date at Washougal Memorial Cemetery, Washougal, WA.