Don and I went way back. He was my first boyfriend - in 3rd grade!!! I remember he called me on the phone, my mother answered and was mortified that 'a boy' was calling her 3rd grader. We had a very short conversation, after all, what do two 3rd graders have to talk about? He was very sweet.
Don passed about 5 years after high school, in northern California. Was it Santa Cruz? He was helping a friend who had experienced car trouble on a busy road, maybe a freeway. He was between his vehicle and his friend's when a drunk driver left the road and hit the rear car. Don was pinned between the vehicles, and didn't survive. I attended the funeral, with Randy Redelsperger I think. Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and I'd Rather Be A Hammer Than A Nail were played at the funeral.
I still remember where I was when I heard of Don's death and how sad I was that he was lost to us at such a young age. I remember well Don asking me to sit with him on the bus to a trip (can't remember where we were going)when we were in junior high school. He later gave me a beutiful "crystal" necklace that I still have and cherish today. He was such a wonderful person and I always felt lucky to have shared a special memory becausee of him.
This is an awesome website! I’m Jane, Don's youngest sister. You will probably remember Peggy or Barbara, they went to high school during the same timeframe as Don. He was my hero. I remember him as a gentle giant, so full of life. He could always make me laugh. It would be just like him to die helping a friend. I wanted you to know Mike that your presence at Don’s funeral meant so much to my parents, that you and a few others would make such a long trip to be there in his honor. Thank you.
Becky Markey (Smith)
Don and I went way back. He was my first boyfriend - in 3rd grade!!! I remember he called me on the phone, my mother answered and was mortified that 'a boy' was calling her 3rd grader. We had a very short conversation, after all, what do two 3rd graders have to talk about? He was very sweet.Mike Douglas
Don passed about 5 years after high school, in northern California. Was it Santa Cruz? He was helping a friend who had experienced car trouble on a busy road, maybe a freeway. He was between his vehicle and his friend's when a drunk driver left the road and hit the rear car. Don was pinned between the vehicles, and didn't survive. I attended the funeral, with Randy Redelsperger I think. Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and I'd Rather Be A Hammer Than A Nail were played at the funeral.Donna Mathews
I still remember where I was when I heard of Don's death and how sad I was that he was lost to us at such a young age. I remember well Don asking me to sit with him on the bus to a trip (can't remember where we were going)when we were in junior high school. He later gave me a beutiful "crystal" necklace that I still have and cherish today. He was such a wonderful person and I always felt lucky to have shared a special memory becausee of him.Becky Markey (Smith)
From Jane Ward Hunsaker:This is an awesome website! I’m Jane, Don's youngest sister. You will probably remember Peggy or Barbara, they went to high school during the same timeframe as Don. He was my hero. I remember him as a gentle giant, so full of life. He could always make me laugh. It would be just like him to die helping a friend. I wanted you to know Mike that your presence at Don’s funeral meant so much to my parents, that you and a few others would make such a long trip to be there in his honor. Thank you.