Don grew up in Wendell, NC and attended East Wake High School and Wake Technical Community College.
Don proudly served the Town of Cary for over 26 years as a dedicated Firefighter, Fire Inspector, Assistant Fire Marshall and ambassador to a town he adored. During his career, Don also worked as a fire safety consultant for garment factories in Bangladesh sharing his expertise to ensure the factories were compliant to the highest standards and the factory workers had an advocate. Fire safety and fire code enforcement were something he took very seriously. Don's accomplishments and the relationships he built throughout his career meant so much to him and he felt privileged to do the work that he did. All he ever wanted to do was to make a difference.
Don was a long time volunteer and member of the Board of Directors at Theatre In The Park in Raleigh, NC. He was a passionate member of the marketing team for "A Christmas Carol." He enjoyed wearing crazy Christmas suits during the run of the show and introducing new people to the Raleigh tradition he loved so much.
Don embodied the values of kindness, decency, healthy procrastination and unfiltered honesty. He was a deeply felt presence in any room. His generosity was widely known and appreciated with everything from baked goods, front row theatre tickets to unsuspecting and delighted patrons, Rey's gift certificates and rescuing lost neighborhood dogs.
In grief, those of us that knew and loved Don are shaken by the totality of his being. The sound of his laughter and his uncanny ability to replicate any animal noise or bodily function is something we will never forget. We will all remember his smile, enthusiasm, unrelenting optimism and love for life; his sense of mischief; his passion for Katie; his unquestionable love for family and the kids and grandkids who blessed him later in life; his appreciation of music, particularly Amos Lee; his acceptance of everyone and refusal to judge or dismiss anyone; his belief that love was ALWAYS love.
We can only hope that the breaking of our hearts is testament enough to our gratitude and the love we feel for Don and the mark he left on all of us.
With immense courage and optimism, Don fought lymphoma for over 22 years. What he endured and lived with on a daily basis did not become clear to most people in his life until this last and final battle as the lymphoma spread to his brain and central nervous system.
Don has earned his eternal rest, though far too soon. Now it is our turn to try and be worthy of Don's suffering and sacrifice by following his example. To be decent people; to care for others; to speak our minds; to love fiercely;
Don is survived by his wife, Katie; Children in love, Kyle (Beth), Kayla (Adam), and AJ (Ethan). Granddaughters in love, Millie and Emmie; Brother, Steve Ayscue (Theresa), Sisters, Ann Marie Sykes (Steve), Teresa Creech(Jesse); Nephews, Kyler (Nichelle), Jackson (Amy), and Spencer; Nieces, Jesse Brooke (Davey), Tabitha (Travis) and Sylvia; Great-nieces and nephew, Nikayla, Beau, Lacey and Sophia; as well as numerous family and friends.
Don was preceded in death and is now joyfully reunited with his mother, Pearl; father, Wilbur; brother, David and nephew, Colton.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2020, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church at 218 S. Academy St. Cary, NC 27511.
Burial will follow at his family's gravesite at Central Baptist Church Cemetery; 11109 Poole Rd. Wendell, NC 27591.
The only thing that made Don's extended stay at Duke University Hospital manageable was his time spent with the therapy dogs he loved so much. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Duke Cancer Patient Support Therapy Dogs, 300 West Morgan St. Suite 1200, Durham, NC 27701
Online condolences may be made at www.BrownWynneCary.com
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