Donald Ray Mutch

Donald "Don" Ray Mutch, 94, of Spokane Valley, Wash., passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 13, 2024. He was born on January 11, 1930, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Clarence "Kelly" and Katherine "Freda" Mutch. Don attended schools in the Kellogg area, graduating from Wardner-Kellogg High School in 1949, where he had been a star football player. Following high school, Don worked with his parents at their business, a Mobil service station in Kellogg. Around this time, Don met Viola “Cookie” Alexander, where she worked at her family’s restaurant. Don and Vi married in April 1952, and Don proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954, during the Korean War. Don was sent to the SS Boxer in the Pacific, where he served as flagger and aircraft mechanic. He was later assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz., where he was joined by Vi and they soon welcomed the first of five daughters. Following the death of his father, Don was honorably discharged in 1954 and the young family moved back to Kellogg to help his mother run the family business. Don and Vi lived in Kellogg until 1962 when Don was offered a busy service station in downtown Spokane, where the library now stands. The family moved to Spokane and soon Don and Vi had five daughters. Don was outnumbered six to one, but his calm demeanor helped him survive in that house full of females. Don was well known in the neighborhood for always being willing to help. Don and Vi bought a new Mobil station at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Thor Street in Spokane and operated Don’s Service Center, with Vi as bookkeeper, until their retirement in 1999. They received many awards and recognitions for running one of the most successful stations in the area. Don and Vi became snowbirds, spending winters in Sun City, Ariz., and summers at Liberty Lake, Wash. They loved to travel, taking cruises, visiting Nova Scotia and Italy where their grandparents were from, and going on road trips with their RV. Don cherished time spent with his family and friends, especially engaging in his favorite pastimes of golfing, camping, fishing, bowling, playing pool and blackjack, attending horse races at Playfair, and cheering on the Seahawks. Remarkably, Don's golf scores matched his age well into his 80s and 90s. Don was predeceased by his parents, his brother Harvey Mutch, and his son-in-law Steve Kosonen. Don is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Vi Mutch of Spokane Valley, Wash.; their five daughters, LaRayne (Tim) Conley of Spokane, Wash., Deb (Dale) Pritzl of Spokane Valley, Wash., Cindy Kosonen of La Quinta, Calif., Miriam (Dave) Gannon of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Donna (Ernest) King of Kirkland, Wash., as well as his brother Jerry Mutch and sisters Alma White and Marie Skelton. Don is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 304 S. Adams Rd., Spokane Valley followed by a reception at the church. A commitment ceremony will take place at 2:30 at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 17825 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities or Meals on Wheels. https://give.cceasternwa.org/give/485229/#!/donation/checkout https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/4f4v3HlGhy51nEnMVWTwRQ

Donald Ray Mutch

January 11, 1930 - June 13, 2024