Donald J. Waite

Donald J. Waite, 83, passed away Wednesday, August 29th at his home with his family by his side. His memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday September 4th, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Brad Gustafson officiating. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory and a private family interment service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Don was born April 27, 1924 to E. J. and Leona (Roberts) Waite in Crawford, NE. They moved to Scottsbluff in 1926. With the exception of time spent in the service and college, he lived his entire life in Scottsbluff. He graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1942. While at Scottsbluff High School, he played center on their undefeated State Champion basketball team of 1941. He made the All State basketball team in the same year. In 1942, Don attended the University of Wyoming before entering the U. S. Navy in 1943. While at UW, Don played on the 1942-43 Wyoming Basketball team that won both the NCAA and NIT championships that year. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Navy in 1946 after serving in the Hawaiian Islands. The following fall he enrolled at the University of Nebraska, then, transferred to Denver University where he graduated in 1948 with a BS degree in building construction. While attending UNL, he met and married Beverly Ann Engdahl of Omaha, NE. September 4th is the 59th anniversary of their marriage. After graduating from DU, Don and Bev returned to Scottsbluff where he entered the lumber business with his father. He became owner and manager of Waite Lumber Company. During this time he oversaw many important changes and progress of the business. He retired in 1987, leaving the business under the management of his sons, Greg and Andy. Don was involved in many community organizations. He was a board member of the YMCA, a member of Rotary, a Deacon and Elder of the church, president of the board of the Scottsbluff Country Club, a juvenile parole officer, and a lifetime member of the BPOE #1367 Elks Lodge of Scottsbluff. Don was a member of the University “W” club and was elected to the Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame. Don loved all sports, including basketball, track, football, and golf. He was an accomplished golfer and won many tournaments in the area. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Family was of utmost importance to him. Survivors include his wife Beverly, sons Greg (Susan), Geoff (Judy), Andy (Jodi) of Scottsbluff and daughter Donna (Wayne) Brown of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren: Katie Rader of Lincoln, NE, Donald Waite of Colorado Springs, CO, Peggy Waite of Kansas City, MO, Julie Brown of Portland, OR, Allie Brown of Fort Collins, David and Derek Waite of Scottsbluff; and great-grandchildren: Sam and Charlie Rader of Lincoln, NE. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and his only sibling, Edgar Allen, who died in the Pacific in WW II.