Donald Neale Harkness, 79, of Richland, passed away on March 7, 2014. He was born on April 27, 1934 in Eugene, OR to Russell and Marjorie Harkness. The family lived in Twin Falls, ID, Portland, OR and Tacoma, WA.

Donald attended Stadium High School in Tacoma and graduated in 1952. As a high school student Donald participated in the pep band, the dance committee, and played intramural sports. After graduation he attended Washington State College from 1952-1957 graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

During his college years Donald was a part of many clubs and organizations; the Outing Club, participating in the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, he was a showman for livestock for 3 years, a member of the Laruet Club and held office there, worked with WSC horse shows for 3 years, worked on the Student -Stockman Banquet for 2 years, and of course the dance committee, became a representative to Associated Students , College Agriculture, the chairman of the Moonlight Sweetheart contest and dance, the Living Group representative to his senior class meetings and played intramural sports.

After college he joined the US Navy and served his country from 1957-1963.

Donald owned and operated S&H Feed Lot west of Quincy, WA on the Columbia River. He had many leadership roles with KOSMOS, Ice Age Floods, and many cattleman organizations. He was looking the completion of the new Ice Age Flood building and becoming a guide. Donald's career as a truck driver was beyond excellent; he drove one million miles without an accident.

In his spare time, Donald loved to tour prisons. He was able to go to Alcatraz, McNeil Island, Walla Walla and others. He went on a cruise to Alaska and Mexico, visited the Oregon Coast, loved his KOSMOS toga parties and Easter egg hunts for mini bottles!

Donald is survived by his daughter, Catherine Johnson and husband Shon and their children, Alex Brown, Samantha Johnson, Michael Johnson; daughter, Lisa Harkness and daughter, Gwyn Harkness. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Weaver and her family; brother, Fred Harkness and longtime friend Sandy Rill.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held at Memories at Sunset Event Center in Richland.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Assoc., the Diabetes Assoc., or the VFW.