aka "Mr. Nice Guy"
June 27th, 1933 - May 13th, 2021
Donald Harley Erwin passed peacefully in his sleep at 2:45 pm in his home on May 13th, 2021. Don had been under hospice care since the passing of his son, Brian Donald Erwin, on April 7th 2020.
Don was born in Fort Wayne, IN and joined the Navy on his 17th birthday which was also the same day the Korean War began. He served 3 years on an LST (Landing Ship Tank), though most sailors called it a Large Slow Target! Don received 4 Battle Stars for conflicts in Korea, then transferred to the Naval Amphibious Base and served with the UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) for his remaining 2 years.
After the Navy, Don held numerous sales positions, then in 1959 began working for Allen's House of Color TV, where he became the Sales Manager & buyer. Several years later he purchased the business & it became Allen's Audio & Video Repair. He spent the next 25 years as President/Owner/Operator and built the business to 5 locations and 38 employees!
Don met the love of his life, Carleen, and they married on June 16th, 1962 and started their family all while building their growing business. Don was very involved...in everything! He served as President of the local chapter of the California State Electronics Association (CSEA). He also served as President of the East San Diego (now Mid-City) Chamber of Commerce for 5 years between 1972 - 1979. Don was also one of the founders and former President of the United Business Commission (UBC) of San Diego, now the United Federation of Small Business (UFSB). He served as legislative advocate of UFSB, C.E.S. (California Electric Sign Association), SUC (Sign Use Council) and NESDA (National Electronics Service Dealers Association) for 3 years. Don held many other titles in various organizations and was also elected by his peers as a delegate to the 1980 White House Conference of Small Business. He was appointed by the Mayor of San Diego as a member of the Small Business Advisory Task Force to the Mayor and City Council from 1983 - 1989, then elected as National President of NESDA in 1989. The list goes on as he was always eager to step up and make a difference.
Don was a member of the VFW, Moose Lodge and American Legion. He was an associate member of Foothills Republican Women Federated (FRWF) where he portrayed Uncle Sam for events, Republican functions, parades, greeting new citizens and at the Del Mar Fair. He was a delegate to the Republican Central Committee and served as Americanism Chair for 7 years at Elks Lodge 1812, where he was also a long time Elk Member for over 25 years, and sang in the Men's Choir.
Don loved fishing (and his cane poles!), gardening, dancing and singing. Don had a beautiful voice and although he wasn't able to pursue a professional career early on, due to being shipped to Korea in the Navy, he had received the lead role in the San Diego Starlight Opera and had won a singing competition where the grand prize was a record deal! Later in life Don sang at piano bars, performed karaoke and realized he was a born comedian! "Ole" from Minnesota (don'tcha know!) would have everyone in stitches! Whether telling jokes to anyone who would listen, even a stranger became an instant new friend! His "Ole" character had become a mainstay in the Elks Follies and Elks District Follies. "Ole" never ran out of jokes and stories. Don loved to make people laugh and always said he was put on this earth to do just that!
Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Carleen Georgia Erwin, and son Brian Donald Erwin. He is survived by his daughter Lori (and Sean), grandsons Mike (29) and Jeremy (19), son Craig (and Mayri), daughter Debbie Morris (and Larry), grandson Ryan (and Leah) and great-grandson Parker (16), granddaughter Leanne and great-grandson Harry (5 weeks). Don was the oldest of six children, preceded in death by sisters, Beverley Lane, Sharon Erwin, and brother Paul Erwin. He is survived by sisters Jan Adams (late husband Bob), and Rosalie Parks (and Joe).
Don was a devoted husband, wonderful father, brother, uncle and entertainer. Many knew him by his "stage" names..."Mr. Nice Guy", "Ole", "Uncle Sam" or "Princess Papuli"! Don was at his happiest making other people happy! "There's not enough laughter in this world and if I can put a smile on someone's face then I've done my job!"
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