Don wrestled three years undefeated at Chief Joseph Junior High School under the tutelage of National Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Mel Olson. Don wrestled for Moses Lake High School from 1962 to 1963 under the coaching of National Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Gary Frey. During this period each wrestler was limited to 12 matches per year plus post season tournament competition. Don's record was 28 wind and 5 losses. In 1964 he moved to Gresham, Oregon, and wrestled for Centennial High School. His record was 14 wins and 3 losses. In his three years of high school wrestling Don placed second in the district tournament three consecutive times, never getting the opportunity to advance to a state tournament. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, following his initial training, he volunteered for the Swift Boats Division of the Navy in Vietnam for two years. He served in the Coastal Division as a member of the 75 ALFA Crew stationed out of Quinyon as a Gunners Mate on a Swift Boat handling two 50-caliber machine guns that could fire as many as 1600 rounds per minute. "If it moves shoot it, if it doesn't blow it up," as Don has often been quoted. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Moses Lake in 1971 and commenced his officiating career in wrestling. Don has been an official for 36 years. He has officiated 26 district and regional finals and has officiated three state finals. He has served as head wrestling coach three years at Frontier Junior High School and as volunteer coach two years at Moses Lake High School. Don also worked with the "Mat Muscle" Youth Developmental Wrestling program in Moses Lake for 11 years. Don's accomplishments include negotiations with Grant County, Chelan County and Okanogan County wrestling associations and school athletic directors and District 6 school administrators to develop one association which is now the North Central Washington Officials Association. This area encompasses 19 high schools and 22 junior/middle schools. Don has been the executive secretary and accountant for 21 years. Don has been heavily involved in community activities. He has been a very active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, coached your Babe Ruth and Little League baseball, assisted with the local 4-H clubs, and served on the Moses Lake FFA Advisory Council. Not only has he spent a lifetime in the wrestling arena, he has also spent a lifetime assisting others in the pursuit of growing up.