Donnie (Don) Richard Huddleston passed away on September 19, 2026, in Santa, Idaho. He was 86 years old.

Don was born on October 31, 1939, in Eugene, Oregon, to Virgil and Helen Huddleston. He grew up in the Eugene area and graduated from Veneta High School in 1957. Following high school, Don joined his father and brother working in the woods for International Paper. Logging became much more than a job for Don—it became a way of life. Together, they logged for the company for approximately 25 years.

Don married Dorothy Burley in 1958, and together they welcomed three daughters. The couple made their home in Eugene before divorcing after six years of marriage.

Don later met Daina Stewart, and the two married in 1965. They settled in Eugene and created a blended family with Don's three daughters and Daina's son. Together, they later welcomed two sons of their own. In the mid-1970s, work began taking Don back and forth between Oregon and Calder, Idaho, and in 1975 the family made the move to Calder. There, Don went to work logging for his "Uncle" Henry. Don and Daina divorced in 1977, but Don remained in the Calder area and continued working in the woods.

In 1997, Don went to work for his son Rick, bringing decades of logging experience with him. After a lifetime spent among timber, mountains, machinery, and hard work, Don retired from logging in 2000.

Long before Idaho became home, Don was a true cowboy at heart. While raising his children in Oregon, the family lived on a farm where horses were always part of life. Don roped steers and, along with his brother, even owned racehorses and hired a jockey to race them.

Don was also a talented guitar player and loved to sing. For several years, he played guitar in a western band, performing at many different venues. Music remained something he enjoyed throughout his life.

His interests were as varied as the country he loved. In 1991, Don and a friend claimed a hard-rock mine, adding yet another adventure to a life that rarely seemed short on them. He enjoyed the outdoors, whether he was hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms or huckleberries, riding four-wheelers, or spending time boating.

One of Don's most memorable hunting accomplishments came late in life. After finally drawing a coveted moose permit, he successfully harvested his moose on his 85th birthday, October 31, 2024. It was quite a birthday present and a fitting accomplishment for a man who had spent so much of his life enjoying the mountains and woods.

In 2019, Don moved to his property in Santa, Idaho, where he spent his later years. When he wasn't outdoors, he enjoyed watching football. Don could find a reason to cheer for just about any team, but he had a special fondness for the Oregon Ducks and the San Diego Chargers.

Above all, Don leaves behind a large family and generations of memories. He is survived by his children, Gay and Sean Eastin of Lebanon, Oregon; Darla Huddleston of Fernwood, Idaho; Karen Ford of Burley, Idaho; Rick and Nikki Huddleston of St. Maries, Idaho; and Dale Huddleston and his companion, Cynthia Stapleton, of St. Maries, Idaho. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Boyles and her husband, Dan, of Veneta, Oregon; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Helen Huddleston; sisters Connie Matthews and Darleen Morris; and brother Ron Huddleston.

Don's life was one spent working hard, enjoying the outdoors, making music, raising a family, and following whatever adventure might be waiting around the next bend in the road, or down the next logging trail. From the woods of Oregon to the mountains of North Idaho, he built a lifetime of stories that his family will continue to share for generations.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life at Rick and Nikki Huddleston's house in St. Joe City on October 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Don's ashes will be laid to rest with other members of his family in Oregon