Donald Lee “Don” Tonning, longtime Umatilla, Oregon, resident, was born on January 8, 1944, in Prosser, Washington, to parents Orpha “Perk” and Leola Lee Sargant Tonning. He died Tuesday, July 14, 2015, in Kennewick, Wash., at the age of 71.

Don was raised and attended school in Pendleton, Oregon. He graduated from Pendleton High School in the class of 1962. Don was united in marriage to Barbara L. Belvill on June 7, 1963, in Pendleton, Oregon. They lived in Longview, Washington, for a time and Don worked for Tolley Craft Boats. In 1964 they moved to Butte, Montana, and later returned to Pendleton, Oregon, in 1967.

He worked at the Pendleton Chevrolet dealership where he worked in many different capacities. Don started a long career as a Farmer’s Insurance agent in the early 1970s in Hermiston, Oregon. A short time later moved his business to Umatilla, Oregon, where he operated it for 30+ years. Don expanded his business to include Tonning’s Auto Wholesale and really enjoyed working with people to find an automobile. He enjoyed fishing, camping, horseback riding, riding his motorcycle, the mountains, and was an avid reader of western books.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Tonning, Umatilla, Ore.; daughters Charmaine Gomez and husband Orlando, Price, Utah, and Margaret Costa and husband Joe, Stockton, Calif.; parents Leola Barnes, Pendleton, Ore., and Orpha “Perk” Tonning, Kennewick, Wash.; brothers David Barnes, Redmond, Ore., Raymond and Jimmy Barnes, both of Pendleton, Ore., and Hank Tonning, Kennewick, Wash.; sisters Kay Broweleit, Bothell, Wash., Pat Simmons, Post Falls, Idaho, Becky Almon, Stevenson, Wash., and Debbie Johnson, Riverside, Wash.; grandchildren Shalena, Nathan, Andrew, Brandon and Zachary; great-grandchildren Nathaniel and Jaden; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his sister Carolyn and grandmother Violet Troxel.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Burns Mortuary chapel, Hermiston, Oregon. Burial will follow at the Sunset Hills Cemetery, Umatilla, Oregon.

Those who wish may make contributions in Don’s memory to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital at stjude.org

Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon, is in care of arrangements.