Donald 'Don' Richard White, 92

Donald Richard White, "Don," passed away of natural causes at age 92 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on March 10, 2023. He was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Boston, Mass., to Charles and Marion (Doty) White and was an only child.

Don graduated in 1954 from Colby College in Maine with a degree in geology. While at Colby, he qualified for five Olympic skiing events, but was called to serve his military service during the Korean War instead. Don served as first lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. He married Margaret (Peggy) Ager on Sept. 4, 1955, in South Pasadena, Calif. They were married 67 years. In 1958, he graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in forestry and engineering.

Don worked as farm forester for the state of Oregon from 1958 to 1964, then as woodland forester for the state of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene. Later, he became an extension agent in forestry for the University of Idaho, serving North Idaho’s Kootenai, Benewah and Latah counties until retiring as professor emeritus in 1991.

Don and Peg started the Carrousel Arabian Horse Ranch in 1964 in Cougar Gulch. They exported, imported, raised and showed some of the finest Arabian horses in the country. They had an amazing breeding operation that brought broodmares from around the United States and internationally to their leading stallions in the industry. After a time, they converted the ranch to the Carrousel Christmas Tree Farm in 1980. The tree farm provided joy and long-lasting friendships with generations of family throughout the many years.

Don was a master craftsman and could engineer, build or design anything he needed from his shop. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or invent as the occasion arose.

Don, foremost, loved his family, all of his many dogs over the years, the wildlife on the farm, his Cessna airplane, marlin fishing, his tractor and his beautiful boat, The Maggie Fay.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Peg, and his loving daughter, Kim Haddock (Randy) of Hayden Lake, Idaho. Many thanks to Schneidmiller Hospice House for its loving care. A private celebration of life will be held this spring. In memory of Don, contributions may be made to Hospice of North Idaho or Companions Animal Center of Coeur d’Alene.

Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.