Ellensburg, Wash., farrier Derek Pike passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. He was 58.

During his early years, Pike developed a love for music that would last him a lifetime. He often could be found playing guitar or banjo, fiddling, or writing songs to narrate the daily activities of his family. He was greatly inspired by the Wilson Rawls’ novel Where the Red Fern Grows and his desire to raise hound dogs of his own led him to become a great outdoorsman in every sense of the word. He was a trapper, mountain man, hunting guide, master falconer and horseman.

A native of Idaho, Pike eventually moved to Washington to build a farrier business, continue raising his family and to pursue other interests. He was a great story teller and there was never a lost opportunity to share a story. He was featured in books and magazines and revered for his knowledge and expertise of horses, hounds and hawks.

In the book Call of the Hounds, Dale Cameron says Pike was “as fearless as an owl in a snowstorm” and there is really no better way to describe him. He leaves behind a legacy of bravery, passion, courage, strength, faith, and love that inspires all who knew him.

Viewing for family and friends will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2020, at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, also at the funeral home with burial to follow at the High Valley Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on funeral attendance, the service will be live streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page at 12:55 p.m. Saturday.