Donald Gaines

Our dad, Donald L. Gaines, passed away unexpectedly during a brief illness on October 3, 2018. He was 80 years old. He lived a full life. He was born in 1938 in Glendale to his parents, Verlon and Mildred Gaines. Along with his parents, he grew up with his younger brother, Ken and his cousin Elaine. He moved to Bakersfield with his family as a young child. He attended Beardsley Elementary Schools, playing saxophone in the band. Our mom and dad met when they both attended Bakersfield High School. Don graduated from BHS in 1955. He and Anne, our mom, had many long talks as they walked home with friends each day to their homes in Westchester, and enjoyed dating throughout high school. Dad helped his father build some of the homes in Westchester during that time; Anne sometimes bringing lemonade to him while he worked to help him cool off. For fun, he earned his pilot’s license for single engine planes. As a young man, he also served in the Marine Reserves, and was honorably discharged.

Don started college at USC at the age of 17, then transferred to Cal Poly SLO, where he studied Architectural Engineering. During this time, he married our mom, Anne. They were married for 23 years. After Cal Poly, he took many continuing education courses through the years at Bakersfield College, USC and Santa Barbara City College. As a young man, he worked as an Architectural draftsman, then became a licensed Architect after college, in 1967. Mom and Dad had fun moving to Hawaii for a time, then relocated back to Bakersfield where they settled to work and raise a family. Our dad designed a house on the Kern River for our family, where we enjoyed many fun times. He later married and divorced a second wife. He enjoyed many wonderful friendships over the years.

Don loved working as an Architect. Over the years, he worked for different architectural firms in California, including many years in Bakersfield and Stockton, and also some years in Modesto and Santa Barbara. He was the Gaines in the firm called Harding & Gaines in Bakersfield. He also had his own business for a time. He designed schools, churches, hospitals, prisons, restaurants, offices, medical diagnostic health facilities, and residences, just to name a few of his many projects. He also worked as an associate architect for the state of California youth authority. He retired just shy of his 70th birthday, working for the City of Stockton as a plan checker for large commercial projects. While in Bakersfield, our dad served as President of the Golden Empire Chapter A.I.A., and served as Director for three years on the State Board California Council A.I.A.

Our dad enjoyed many hobbies through his years, much to our delight and benefit, including camping, fly-fishing, boy scouts with his son, horseback riding, traveling, and computers. When he relocated to Stockton, he enjoyed several activities with his friends from the Waterfront, and boating with his family, and his friends in the Yacht Club. Dad was a member of the Village West Yacht Club, and was a director for a time for the Port Stockton Yacht Club. He also enjoyed attending as well as volunteering at the Asparagus Festival. He also dearly loved to read for fun.

Our dad was the most wonderful father. His love for us kids was unconditional and his support and encouragement of us, unwavering. He was always active in our lives. He was intelligent, and a great conversationalist. He would crack us up with his sense of humor. We will miss spending time with him, and our great, long talks. He taught us good values that we try to live by every day. He was a Christian believer, and this gives us comfort and hope as we face the years ahead without him. He also was a wonderful grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family dearly and he showed us this all the time.

Surviving him are his three children, daughters: Vicki Norman (Chris), and Melanie Gaines, all of Bakersfield, and his son Bill Gaines, of Boise, Idaho. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Brandon McCormick (Ashley), Leesa Clapp (Marcus), Shannyn Forgue (Jeff), Allie Dillow, and Jared Balius. He also leaves behind 10 great- grandchildren. Don is survived by his brother Ken Gaines of Linden, and his cousin Elaine Work (George) of San Miguel, an aunt, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

All who knew him are encouraged to join us at any of the upcoming celebrations of his life. We’d be happy to hear your stories of how you knew our dad.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2018, at DeYoung Shoreline Chapel, 7676 Shoreline Drive in Stockton.

A Celebration of Life will also take place in Bakersfield at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2018, in the Harvest Room at Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive.