Obituary of Donald Jeffrey Boneske

 

Donald Jeffrey Boneske

March 13, 1948 – April 16, 2021

 

Don was born at Tacoma General Hospital on March 13, 1948, to Doris Davey and Theodore Pape.  He died on April 16, 2021, after complications from open-heart surgery.  He was a young 73.

Don was a humble, gentle man who never wanted or needed attention (except his 2^nd grade report card indicated he liked to act up and be the class clown!)

In grade school through high school, Don and his family had many adventures as they traveled around the country each time his stepfather, Charles Boneske, was transferred to where his engineering career took him.  Don lived for a year in San Diego, then chased poisonous snakes and alligators from his fishing boat in Cape Canaveral, Florida.  During high school in Alabama, he tried to avoid the heat and the large biting mosquitoes before coming back to Tacoma during his senior year of high school at Wilson.  Don always loved Washington State the best.

Don’s most satisfying job in life was when he taught elementary school at a Tacoma Christian School for several years, which is when he met his wife Judy.  They lived in Puyallup during their 27 years of marriage, where they did not have to be wary of poisonous snakes or avoid alligators.

During his early 30’s, Don enjoyed coaching his daughters’ softball team and taking them fishing at Spanaway Lake.  Once married to Judy in his early 40’s, they both enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing trails at Mt. Rainier.  They kayaked, biked, fished, and enjoyed many vacations to Hawaii and Ocean Shores. 

Don enjoyed taking his granddaughters camping, and taught some to fish and play tennis for the first time at Clearwood/Clear Lake in Yelm. 

Don had a great love for his Lord Jesus Christ, which he shared with his wife.  Together their marriage was built on that solid foundation. 

Don is survived by his wife Judy, his daughters Donna Boneske, Kathy Boneske and Tamara Soennichsen (Cory); his grandchildren Shenae Henry (Jamal), Jamāra Humphrey, Racheal Jackson, Ralisha and Rahmya Boneske, ShaDaisy and Ledoux Soennichsen; and his great-grandchildren Asha’laya and Aalaizha Wilson, Macsi and Monolo Henry, Armani Powell, Timothy Dillon Jr., Nola Dillon, and Cire Penny.  Don is now present with his great-granddaughter Baby Phoenix Dillon in Heaven.

Don, we are all going to miss you so much.  There is an empty place in all of our hearts because of your absence.  Make sure you save several rooms next to yours in heaven’s mansions for when we meet up again!

If there are any questions, please contact Judy at 253-840-4943

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so,

I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2.

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