Howard and Dona Jean Smith are 2017 WCD Parade Marshals

The Smith family has farmed in Waitsburg since 1919

WAITSBURG – Because she has never driven a truck, and has sat in the saddle only one time (and immediately wanted off!) Dona Jean Smith said she was "flabbergasted but very honored" to be chosen parade marshal for the 2017 Waitsburg Celebration Days Parade. Husband and co-marshal, Howard, a third-generation Waitsburg wheat farmer, heartily agrees with the honor of being selected.

Howard's great grandparents migrated from Missouri to settle in Milton-Freewater. In 1919 his grandfather, also named Howard Preston Smith, and his wife, Lillian (Cox) Smith, purchased a lease on the Waitsburg homestead where Howard and Dona Jean live today. The home was built in 1911, but stood empty for the first eight years of its existence, until his grandparents made it their home in 1919.

"The people that owned the property evidently had to build a house to own the property, and had to have so many acres of trees," Howard said.

Howard's parents, Jake Lee Smith and Frances (Burroughs) Smith, married in 1932 and raised their family on the family homestead. Howard was born in 1933 and grew up on the farm with his sisters, Lassie (Smith) Wittman and Jill (Smith) Wood.

"I've lived in this house my entire life, except for four years when Dona Jean and I lived at my grandmother's house in Waitsburg," Howard said.

Howard attended Waitsburg schools and graduated from WHS in 1951. He said he enjoyed all school sports, but especially loved football and basketball. He spoke proudly of the football team winning eight of ten games his senior year.

Howard attended Washington State University for one semester, taking ag-related classes, before returning home to run the farm when his father became ill.

"Running the farm is what I'd wanted to do all my life," Howard said. "As a farmer, you're your own boss, and I like to learn from what others were doing. My dad was a good farmer, but I was better. I was more particular and I worked at it every day," he added.

Dona Jean is a "firecracker baby," born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on the Fourth of July. She still remembers traveling to Washington by train with her parents, Jay and Fern Weeks, when she was three years old. Jay was in the lumber business, and Dona Jean grew up with siblings Betty Lou (Weeks) Branson, James, and Kathy (Weeks) Payne.

She completed her first three years of high school in Dayton, and was crushed when the family moved to Lind, Wash. during her senior year. After graduation, she moved to Walla Walla, where she lived in a dormitory-style building and took nurse's training at St. Mary's hospital.

Howard and Dona Jean met in 1952, when Howard's father, who was hospitalized at the time, decided to play matchmaker.

"He told me he had a blonde and a brunette picked out for me, but I never dated the blonde," Howard said, laughing.

The couple was married at the Catholic Church in Walla Walla when Howard was 20 and Dona Jean was 19. Neither was Catholic, but Dona Jean lived with a Catholic family while in nurse's training, and Howard became close with Father Callahan, who married them.

"He was a great sports fan, and I knew him pretty well. We became good friends even though we beat St. Pat's - it's DeSales now - every time," Howard said, laughing.

They celebrated their 64th anniversary last February.

Dona Jean left nursing to stay home and raise their four children: Howard Jr., Debbie (Davison), Laurie (McKinley), and Pam (Hermanns). They lived in town briefly, before assuming residence at the family homestead (known as the Hungate Farmhouse, after the people that owned the land) after Howard's father died.

"I've always been home and have enjoyed it a lot. I did quite a bit of cooking for the crew. Both of our mothers were excellent cooks," Dona Jean said.

At 84 years old, Howard is still actively farming the operation that is now a partnership between him and son, Howard Jr. Grandson Jacob works for them and will one day take over, Howard said.

As their children grew, Howard became known for his heavy involvement with the Junior Livestock Show. Both his children and grandchildren have shown steers at the Spokane Livestock Show, with a total of eight wins between them.

Granddaughter Stephanie (Smith) Hinchliffe won Grand Champion three out of four years in high school, Howard said. Now, grandson Preston (Hinchliffe) carries on the tradition and is showing his second 4-H steer.

Howard said he would travel all over the U.S. looking for steers for his kids. Later he started going to Denver, Colo. to purchase Maine Angou Bulls for people who wanted him to choose them the right animal to produce winning steers. Last year was his 25th year in a row, he said.

"No matter whether it's sports or buying bulls, I'm very competitive," Howard said.

Dona Jean was involved in school activities and Odako Club, but especially enjoyed her involvement with the Waitsburg Historical Society. She is one of two remaining charter members, and played a vital role in the restoration of the Bruce House Museum.

"That was a big thing in my life. We always tried to make it fun when we would get together to work on a project. It was great; just a lot of fun," she said.

Howard and Dona Jean have fond memories of the Days of Real Sport, pitching in and helping out wherever they were needed.

"When I was a kid I used to do the rope race out on the track. We had an old horse, Tony, and whoever was riding him would pretty much win the race," Howard said.

Both agree that living on the farm and raising their family in Waitsburg has been an enjoyable way of life.

"I would recommend Waitsburg to anybody. It's a very nice community," Howard said.

"I've enjoyed all of our friends. We just love Waitsburg," Dona Jean said.

Both were surprised at being selected parade marshals. "I was absolutely flabbergasted, not being a cowgirl!" Dona Jean said.

Dona Jean said her favorite part of the Days of Real Sport was always the parade, and she's honored that they'll be leading it, riding in Bob Collins's convertible, this year.

"One thing is for sure. I always like to have a good time," Dona Jean said.