Condolence: Don was a hoot working at the prison. He was so mean to me when I first started working there. Eventually we became friends; and I asked why no one would talk to me. He said, "what would you expect with all of the tie dye and those Jesus shoes"! He was talking about my birkenstocks. have to laugh. When he showed up to my going away party with Wotta, he looked wonderful and was his obnoxious self, with more stories. I was floored when I heard he was ill. Blessings to him and his children. You have been left with quite a legacy; and if you want to carry on his name, I would suggest learning to tell stories, some true and some not, all quite colorful. prayers for you all

Condolence: Don you will be sadly missed by all

Condolence: When I first met Gunnie through friends I thought he was very arrogant. Those that know him know what I am talking about. He had this tough guy exterior like he had a brick wall between you. I believe some of that was just protecting himself. Anyway then I had the pleasure of taking a motorcycle safety course that he was also taking as a refresher. That was the beginning of our friendship.

We then became good friends though we never dated. We would hangout together, watch a movie, ride the motorcycles or go to the Eagles and dance. He was the only one who was willing to ride with this rookie chick wanting to ride her OWN bike. He never critized me and had the patience of a saint with me in my learning the tricks of the trade.

He treated me with the utmost respect. I would get after him for throwing out the F-Bomb. He knew I didn’t like it. He tried hard to refrain from saying it and if he slipped he would say “sorry honey.” Every now and then when he would start telling a pretty far-fetched story I would have to reel him in and call him out on truth or not. He sure had some stories.

When he started having health issues and had to have heart surgery I was able to visit him in K-Zoo and met his daughter and her husband. I never met Nate or Chris though I heard about them often from him. He talked of his grandkids too with pride. When he once went home I would visit and take a movie to watch or bring him dinner occasionally. Whenever we parted he would always hug me and he was a lip kisser so he would kiss me goodbye. And he always said whether on the phone or in person “I love you honey” and I know he did.

Sadly when he started having so many issues with his health that required him to be in and out of the hospital and in a nursing home I did not visit and that is MY BAD. Not that I didn’t want to and I won’t make excuses for why it didn’t happen. I spoke to him on Christmas Eve. and though he was in and out with the here and now it was a great conversation. He even asked me to go dancing with him on New Year’s Eve. saying he would pick me up at 7pm. I agreed and for that moment he was happy. I only wished that moment would have come but I knew it wouldn’t.

I have so much in common with Ang with having to deal with a sick and dying parent and I have some much respect for her in how she handled it. It is truly one of the hardest things she will ever have to do but will never have regrets. God Bless you Angie for being there for him.

Gunnie… I love you! May you RIP until one day we meet again and we ride our Harley’s and we go to the New Years Eve. dance. I will save the last dance for you my friend.