Gary Lee Doman

On February 27, 2014, Gary Lee Doman, age 69, suffered a heart attack at home and passed away at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital with his wife, Diane, and her family by his side.

Gary was born on December 10, 1944 in Emmett, Idaho. He was the only child of Leonard and Opal (Shippy) Doman. He grew up in Parma, Idaho where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his parents.

After graduating from Parma High School in 1963, Gary then entered the United States Air Force. He served from 1963-1967. He was stationed in Washington, Texas, California, Missouri, Alaska, and Vietnam. When he completed his military service, Gary was accepted into the College of Engineering at the University of Washington. He graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. While attending UW, Gary became a staunch Huskies fan and stayed one until his death.

Upon his college graduation, Gary went to work for Crown Zellerbach in the Central Engineering office in Seattle and Port Angeles for ten years. From there, he moved to Yakima and went to work for the Department of Energy contactor who was operating the Hanford Nuclear Reactor, UNC Nuclear Industries and Westinghouse Hanford. Gary was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Within the IEEE, he became a member of the Nuclear Power Engineering Committee while employed at Hanford. This committee wrote and maintained nuclear safety standards. Gary enjoyed serving on this committee which allowed him to not only develop nuclear safety, but to travel and make new friends. Gary’s most recent employment had been with AT&T as a building tech. He retired from AT&T in January 2009 due to health problems.

On December 26, 1988, Gary met Diane Gaudette at the V.F.W. Post #379. She became his “P.C.” and the “Hootie” of his life. To celebrate being together for twenty years, Gary and Diane were married on December 26, 2008 at the V.F.W Post # 379, where they first met.

Gary had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed the outdoors; swimming, scuba diving, gardening, hunting, and fishing. Gary did beautiful calligraphy, did fly tying, taught himself to play the guitar, made cribbage boards, and learned gunstock checkering. He enjoyed going out and about for a beer or two and “kibitzing” with people.

Gary’s all-time favorite activity was going vanning in his ’68 8 door Dodge van. He loved that van. He vanned for many years and was known as “Hotwire” to his vanning family. He was a member of the Central Washington Van Club, W*H*A*T vans, and the Northwest Van Council. Bring on the Panty Droppers, Gary. Let’s party.

Gary was a member of the American Legion Post #36, Fraternal Order of Eagles #289, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #379.

Gary is survived by his wife, Diane Gaudette-Doman (Hootie of his life), his mother-in-law, Marilyn Sanborn (Mommers), his sister-in-law and her husband, Lisa and Ken Bender; and their two sons, Tyson Joe Bender of Seattle and Brian Jack Bender of Ellensburg. Last, but certainly not least, Gary and Di’s “cat kids”; Charlie (The Big Guy), Tobey (The Buddy), and Lillie Mae (Lillie the Pillie). Gary was predeceased by his parents and many wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers, Diane is requesting that contributions be made in Gary’s memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #379 in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

Diane would like to give a special thank you to Woody and Karen Whitworth for their help in finding the ’68 Dodge van a wonderful home with Jim and Stacy in Spokane, Washington.

A celebration of Gary’s life with full military honors will be held at the VFW Club, 118 S. 5th Ave. Yakima, on Saturday, April 5, 2014 beginning at 1:30 p.m. To celebrate the life of Gary and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.