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Donald Woodland, 74, passed away March 2, 2011, in Olympia, Washington, where he lived
for more than 25 years. He was born September 9, 1936, in Aberdeen, WA, to Marian
A. Carter and Earle C. Woodland. He married Wilma Swigart on May 18, 1970.
Donald was a radio personality, and also was involved in music and video production.
He loved spending time with family and friends, music, building remote-controlled
airplanes, fishing, cooking and eating good food.
After college, Don began his 32 year career as a professional radio broadcaster.
The listening audiences probably best new Don by his DJ name, Don Chapman.
Northwest listeners remember hearing him at one or all of the following stations, KAYO,
KING, KOMO, and KING in Seattle, KMO (Tacoma) and KLDY, Lacey.
However, after a rating success at KAYO-AM in Seattle, Don helped turn,
Chicago's WJJD-AM, into a Country Music phenom. He was the first C/W Disc Jockey
to be number one in the Chicago market, and together with other, WJJD, "Western
Gentlemen," changed Chicago radio.
Don was nominated for the Country Music, "Broadcaster of the Year," in 1967. He not
only anchored Chicago's top station, he produced concerts, started record companies,
and discovered talent for country, blues and rock recordings.
Along the way, Don discovered a rock and roll band some folks know.
That band was originally called, TW4. With a name change, Don took the band STYX into
the RCA studios and the hits kept coming. Music was Don. He owned record labels
in the Chicago area, producing Marvin Rainwater, other country and blues artists.
He left Chicago for Nashville where he produced albums for many Nashville stars.
He and his wife, Willie, felt the tug of the Northwest, and headed home.
There he worked again in radio in Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, and began his own
video/audio production company. Two years later he became Production Manager
at Lacey's, Videoland Productions in Lacey where he and the Videoland
crew have produced award winning documentaries, industrial films and
special project videos throughout the Northwest.
Donald is survived by his wife, Wilma Woodland of Olympia; son Brian Hurst
of Anacortes; daughter, Shannon D. Martin of Olympia; brother,
David Woodland; and six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Earle Woodland Jr. and Gordon Woodland.
Services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Monday, March 21, 2011, South Sound
Manor, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater 98501.
Donations may be made to the Aberdeen High School music department.
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