July 31, 1944 - April 4, 2018
Don was born on July 31, 1944, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Claudie and Helen Hames. He passed on into eternal life on April 4, 2018.
His younger years were spent in Bakersfield, Taft, Oxnard, and Lamont. He was quite the athlete in his youth; some of his sports included track, shot put, and football. He met the love of his life, Deanna, when he was just 15 years old-and the rest is history. Their love grew, and they were married on December 22, 1963. They had three children, Steve, Stephanie, and Donna.
Anyone who truly knew Don knew he had an exceptional work ethic. As his adult life unfolded, he became an accomplished carpenter, served as a policeman for the Port Hueneme Police Department, and later worked for McCullough Wireline Service. Little did he know this would lead him to the oil fields where he would spend the rest of his career.
Don, along with his friends, Harold Eggers and John French, started an adventure together that became a blossoming business, Pengo Wireline. Their friendship grew well into their retirement; Don and Harold would meet every Tuesday, up until Don's very last.
He loved camping, fishing, collecting antiques with Deanna, working in the backyard, and grilling his famous burgers. However, love for these things pales in comparison to the incredible love he had for his family.
If you ask any of his children or grandchildren, there is one word consistently used to describe him: HERO. He may have traded his cape for a plaid shirt, but he was a true hero, nonetheless. He mastered the art of emotional support and spent his life making dreams possible. He respected individuality, relished in the ability to provide for his wife and family, and guided his household with a fantastic sense of humor. He was everyone's rock, their steady baseline, the one you called when the sky was falling.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Deanna; Son, Steve (Gail) Hames, and daughter Kathleen; Daughter, Stephanie Teixeira, grandchildren, Teresa, Anna (Aaron) Logan, Christina, and Mark, great-grandson, Grant Logan; Daughter, Donna (Chad) Wright, and grandchildren, Bethany, Lorena, and Kimberly; Sister, Margie (Allen) Kennedy, nephews, great-nephew, and great-niece; Brother-in-Law, Larry (Jan) Crawford, and nieces. He also leaves behind his best friend, Harold Eggers.
Viewing will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 5:00 PM-9:00 PM. The Celebration of Don's Life will be held at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Bakersfield, at 2236 East California Ave., on Friday, April 13, 2018, at 11:00 AM. The Graveside Service will be private, and there will not be a reception following.
Rest in God's arms until we meet again. See you later, Alligator. We love you.
