Donald "Donnie" E. Hutsell

Passed away November 12, 2024 in Ritzville, WA his home Ritzville. Don was born on April 10, 1944 in Spokane, WA to William and Bernice (Mead) Hutsell. He grew up in Davenport and graduated from Davenport High School in 1962 In school his basketball team placed 2nd at the State “B” tournament, He received a football scholarship to Wenatchee Valley College. He also enjoyed being a 4H member in his youth... After college Don then joined the US Coast Guard Reserves. Before returning home to pursue his career as a cattle buyer and PRCA stock contractor. Don married Constance “Connie” Rauch on March 13, 1964 in Blackfoot, ID. They continued to live in Davenport before moving to Moses Lake area, Ontario, OR, Lewiston, ID before settling in Ritzville, WA in 1979.

Don was part owner and Auctioneer of Stockland Livestock Exchange in Spokane and Davenport, WA for many years. He also went to Kentucky for the world Champion Auctioneer contest placing in the top 5. At this time he also auctioneered at many sale yards across the Northwest, while also being a career long cattle buyer it was through these years he wore out many Lincoln Town cars. Don grew up in a generational rodeo family. His love of great bucking horse’s came natural as his father Bill Hutsell and his grandfather Lew Hutsell produced rodeos across the Pacific Northwest.

Don met Sonny Riley in the 1960’s they immediately became lifelong friends-when they were both attending a roping school in Colfax, Washington. Not long after Sonny contacted Don to help produce an amateur rodeo, as they were both actively involved in their father's rodeo companies the Snake River Rodeo Co and Big Bend Rodeo Co.

In 1969 Sonny and his brother Forrest joined together with Don and Tom Hutsell and Vince Aguirre to form the Flying Five Rodeo Company producing amateur rodeos. Then in 1974 Sonny and Don bought out their siblings and family and continued producing rodeos. They bought their first PRCA card and began providing bucking stock for PRCA rodeos at the professional level, and continue sending stock to the NFR.

In 1991 Don and Sonny purchased the Joe Kelsey and Ralph McLean Rodeo Co and PRCA card, along with stock that goes back to the original bloodlines of Lew and Bill Hutsell. They then renamed their 2° card and company back to the original Big Bend Rodeo Company, forming Flying Five Rodeo Company Inc., DBA Big Bend Rodeo Company. And the rest is history.

Starting in 1969 Don and Sonny began to produce their own rough stock with a handful of mares in a Born to Buck Program". In 1988 Iron Mountain was purchased by Bill, Don and Chad Hutsell in Kalispell MT at Carpenters Bucking Horse Sale, he has since produced many generations of colts that have made the trip to the NFR. The many generations of broncs and bulls are raised on Riley's Snake River Ranch near Central Ferry, Washington and Chad & Lindsey Hutsell's Ranch near Ritzville Washington. Throughout the years of selective breeding with proven dams bred to champion sires, we have developed a vast inventory of high-quality Bucking Horses and crossbred Brahma Bucking Bulls. The livestock athletes of Flying Five Rodeo Company Ine., DBA Big Bend Rodeo Company speak for themselves and the generations of a well laid out breeding program created by Don and Sonny, when they are performing in the rodeo arena.

Flying Five Rodeo Company Inc., DBA Big Bend Rodeo Company is currently owned by Sonny Riley and Chad Hutsell. Even though Don handed over the reins of the company to Chad he still keeps an active presence in the operation.

In his retirement he continued to travel to rodeos and followed his favorite college basketball team Gonzaga. Over the years Don has been inducted into the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, Omak Stampede Hall of Fame, and PRCA card holder since 1974. Member of the fraternal order of the Eagles, Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge.

Don is survived by his two children Dawnel and Gary Breiler, Chad and Lindsey Hutsell along with four grandchildren Cody, Chandra, Jessica and Bronc along with four great grandchildren. His two sister Sharyn Miller and Char Hutsell and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Connie in 2007, his parents, brother Tom Hutsell. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 12:00 PM (Noon) at the American Legion Hall, 106 W. Broadway, Ritzville, WA . In Lieu of flowers family suggest memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com for the Hutsell family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.