Seattle, Washington - Years ago, friends gave Don a nickname, "Pleasure." And he lived up to that.

Donald Chester Gargas was born in Chicago to Chester and Pam Kentsner Gargas on December 2, 1941 and left earth on August 1, 2025.

He relished loud shirts, strange food (chicken feet), roses, clouds, hunting Bolete mushrooms, cooking jambalaya, Bullwinkle and all the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic providers, nurses and staff who dedicated their lives to their patients.

He also loved taking care of children, something he did as a pediatrician at the clinic, which he co-founded, for more than 35 years.

Don could talk knowledgeably about most everything: serge suits, Da Bears, opera, steelhead fishing, Chinese dynasties.

He never met an Asian spice he didn't like.

After graduating from Northwestern University, he graduated from Northwestern Medical School in 1968, the year he married Jane Morris. Their children are Carrie (Tha), Jessie (Mark) and Dan (Emily).

Grandchildren are Lily, Mia and Jovie.

He's also survived by his sister, Mary, 2 brothers in law, 2 sisters in law and several nieces and nephews.His parents and brother Jim predeceased him.

None of these people will admit to hiding his "History of the World" book after hearing too many anecdotes.

Now that Don is enjoying full-time Pleasure, in lieu of flowers, he would appreciate donations to the Toppenish Community Chest food bank in his memory. He would also like you to get vaccinated.

A celebration of life will occur at 11 a.m. October 11 in Smith Hall at Heritage University in Toppenish.