Donald Fred Huddleston, “Don, Donny, Buck, PopPop,” passed away surrounded by his family and loved ones at Skagit Valley Hospital on Sept. 3, 2026. He was 67.
Don was born in that same hospital on Nov. 1, 1958 to Shirely and Fred Huddleston.
Growing up in La Conner, he followed his passions of photography and journalism, first at Skagit then Western Washington University, where he wrote for the Western Front. His writing, much like his personality, was funny, honest, unflinching and witty. Don had the gift of gab and could get along with just about anybody, although he was never one to shy away from calling it like it was.
His career took many forms: from shipyards to boatbuilding, to finally managing Skagit Building Salvage.
Most of all he enjoyed being dad to Charlie and Carrie. He was involved in their passions from chaperoning Boy Scout and Girl Scout campouts to stage-handing plays. He was a rarity in fathers, raising them as a single dad for most of their lives. He loved and contained an encyclopedic knowledge of football, movies and music. His stereo and speaker set up was constantly changing, always looking for the next audio experience. Later in life he enjoyed becoming PopPop to his grandchildren. A role he excelled at, providing cookies and custom built car tracks in his backyard. Often seen sitting on his back porch with a cup of coffee in one hand and cigarette in the other ready to welcome visitors with a “Hey, What’s going on?”
Don is survived by his wife Storm Kennedy; his son Charlie (Amanda) and grandsons Porter and Griffin; his daughter Carrie Grandstaff (Jason) and grandson Otis; his siblings Bob (Rhonda) and Lori Harris; close friends Bonnie and Brad Killion, as well as innumerable friends and customers. He is preceded in death by his late wife Gaye Mathews; his mother Shirley and father Fred Huddleston; his aunt Mary Davis and uncle Ray Dunlap; his grandmother and grandfather Philena and Percy “Bud” Dunlap.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
