Donny was a longtime friend... he will be missed very much. My heart goes out to his family and to all his friends he has made over the years.

Jason

Donny was the most humble soul I've met. He came to work, did his job masterfully, got along with everyone, and always had a friendly "hello" and kind comment. I will miss his presence at our store.

My heart aches for his lovely wife, Nancy, his children and his hunting companion "Phoebe"---their loss is great.

I pray that God, the great comforter, would wrap his loving arms around them at this very difficult time.

God has a masterful plan for all of us---we know not the time or place when we will be called home---I find comfort in knowing Donny was doing what he loved to do most---hunt.

Happy hunting my friend---you will be deeply missed.

Much love,
Lisa

The River City HO Racing Association (RCHORA) would like to extend their deepest sympathy to Donnies family and friends. To us he was called the "Rocketman" as he built the smoothest and fastest slot cars I believe in the country!
At last Sunday's RCHORA events all drivers present took a turn behind the wheel of Don's #16 Subway NASCAR Taurus in remembrance of what he has meant to this club over the past 22 years. Don was a fierce competitor and motor builder who would give you the shirt of his back. He knew only one speed, FAST, and he drove every lap like it was the last one. There was no one better at building a motor and he did not discriminate who it was for.
I'm pretty sure all off us in the club have either bought or had their cars tuned by Don at one time or other.
His prices were always fair, he could have easily asked double.
He loved seeing his cars win no matter who was driving them. Just the greatest, easy going guy I know.
I truly believe that God finally took up slot car racing and he needed an engine builder more than we did. He will be deeply missed.

Donny was a life long friend of mine and I will miss him dearly.
I am so glad he passed doing what he loved to do, and my and my families hearts go out to his survivors.
Donny, I love ya bro and smile down on us all!
Shawn>>

I met Don oh so briefly, saying hi and making small talk at the West Salem Race Track, or at the two or three "HO" races I attended. I could tell though, that Donnie was the kind of guy anyone and everyone could like. I looked forward to some future time to better aquaint us, and get to know Donnie.

Somehow I believe that in the future we will meet again and we will still get a chance to know each other better!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Donnie.

God Bless,

Brad

I have been blessed to have many great friends. Donnie is is no better example for why I have always said this. He made spending time with him just way, way special. Funny, quiet, and polite just a whale of a person to hang out with and have fun. He would do anything for you and made doing this seem effortless.

I have always planned on spending more time with Donnie when my time gets freed up a bit more from raising my family. As it was we did find time to get together ever so often to give each other a little crap just for fun. I guess we will have to wait to do this again now as it aint gonna happen down here no more.

So Donnie if you are up there in heaven which you probably are. I do hope you are finding the accomodations heavenly. Donnie one more thing before I go stay busy up there so you don't miss being down here too much. Speaking for everybody you ever knew down here we are doing enough missing you as it is already.

Love ya
man
Yeap and that don't mean I want your bud light either!

Thanks to the Smith's family for your support during this tough time.

It's hard to lose someone I've been friends with for 32 years. My dad introduced me to BMX racing in 1982 and I've been riding competitively (not to be confused with "successfully") ever since. If not for him, I can't say if I would be riding today or not, but it has been a great part of my life that I owe to him.

More importantly, he instilled in me an appreciation for simple, unrefined pleasures of life; the gifts of God that are easily missed amidst pressures and deadlines and traffic and clutter. He had a knack for noticing the stuff that needs no explanation for its significance. In the theology trade, we call this "common grace." My dad was a big fan of common grace thus defined, as many readers can affirm.

He departs as one of my heroes. His departure, drawing well over 150 people from all five decades of his earthly pilgrimage, was a challenge to me to make lasting, vital friendships and to sustain them. His mechanic skills were not genetically passed (at least I didn't get them) but his appreciation for the humor in life (heavily edited in my case) was. He had a sock collection that most millipedes could appreciate, and he was a good shot with a rubber band. And he knew how to laugh, a sound that I really miss.

It's been a few weeks.

Titus 2:3-7

Chris Ames