Donald Bartley
In memory of Donald Leon “Don” Bartley. 2024 
by John Agno

Our dad like our mother, gave us strength, hope, love and undying devotion.  He was like our best friend and was always there when we needed him.  He will always be in our hearts and minds.  He would be very pleased by this, Celebration of his Life” and he would want me to pass on his love and well wishes to all of you.  He would also want me to end this dissertation with a joke or story but I could never outdo my dad for those original quips or stories!
We, the family of Donald Leon Bartley, send our love and well wishes to you all and thank you very much for attending my dad’s Celebration of Life!  My dad, who was a proud Marine, will be interned at the Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific with military honors.  Please attend if you can.  Thank you very much and Aloha!

pg 5 (THE END)

Donald Bartley
In memory of Donald Leon “Don” Bartley. 2024 
by John Agno

•	My other special achievements or memories are when I made a number of keno tickets with solid 7’s and 8’s and also different way keno tickets and won!  
Isn’t that comment about Vegas the typical “Don!”
Memories:
Dad is probably looking down on us right now and he would be amazed by the amount of tears, sadness and tremendous loss we all feel right here today.  He brought joy and laughter to everyone he met and would tell countless stories of his path through life whether it was about family, military, work or tennis!
Today, we are gathered here for his “Celebration of Life” and to honor him.  We truly feel that this is not a funeral but a celebration of his life and the Aloha that he has spread to everyone that he has come into contact with.  We thank everyone who has attended in Don's memory here at his “Celebration of Life!”.  
We are very confident that our dad, Don, is now with the love of his life, my mom Barbara.  Dads’ memory will be with us forever.  Dad loved my mom so very much but also accepted and loved us with undying devotion.
Dad and I shared a very special relationship which I will always hold close to my heart.  I used to go traveling with my mom and dad on mostly every Las Vegas or Reno trip that they took.  I was like the invited third wheel.  I truly treasured these trips mainly because I spent some quality time with them both.  When my mom passed, I felt that it was my duty and responsibility to take care of my dad.  That is the main reason why I continued traveling with my dad in order to keep the spirit of the three of us always together.  When dad went on his last visit to Chicago, I was so worried about him and called him mostly every day to be sure he was okay.  Needless to say he always said that he was okay but he wasn’t and there were adventures like driving for hours trying to find the hotel that was twenty minutes away from the airport.
pg 4 (cont.)

Donald Bartley
In memory of Donald Leon “Don” Bartley. 2024 
by John Agno

History:
Dad was born on November 26, 1939, in Oak Park, Illinois.  He was raised by his parents, John William Bartley and Gladys Viola Newman.  He had two brothers, Thomas and John, and two sisters, Gladys and Barbara.  During the early 60’s, Dad was station at the Kaneohe Marine Corp. Air Station.  Here in Hawaii he met the love of his life, my mom, Barbara.  They both moved back to Chicago.  They decided to get married on July 11th, 1966, in Chesterfield, South Carolina.  Dad and Mom then moved back to Hawaii in the late 60’s and called it their home.
The following is a sampling of Dads history that was written in his own words.  I’m quite sure that you will be able to immediately tell by those words that it was definitely him that wrote them.  This is what Dad wrote on his memorial page when listing his “Legacy Information” while in the process of planning his own “Celebration of Life.”.
He wrote the following:
•	In my early childhood and upbringing, we moved around a lot and I was brought up by my relatives and also friends of the family.  
•	In my adolescent years, I quit school in my sophomore year and took a break.  I went back to school in six months, graduated, and went on to college for two years. 
•	In my early adulthood I opened a number of commercial businesses which were successful.  I worked at numerous jobs ie.; Railroad, Banking and Factories.  
•	My proudest family moment was when I went into the United States Marine Corp. for three years and received an honorable discharge as a Lance Corporal.  
•	My proudest accomplishment was that I found the love of my life, Barbara, and took care of my kid and step-kids.
•	My proudest civic accomplishment/involvement was when I helped a friend raise money for a school band for purchasing uniforms and equipment.

pg3 (cont.)

Donald Bartley
In memory of Donald Leon “Don” Bartley. 2024 
by John Agno
One of the hardest things I had to do in my lifetime was to write an eulogy for my Mom, Barbara Chun Bartley.  Now here I am again 9 years later doing the second hardest thing.  I tried very hard to find the words to express the feelings, love and emotions that we had for our beloved Step-Dad Donald “Don” Bartley.
My Dad, Don, while on his last few days in the hospital, was amazed at the response and love that he experienced with everyone that came to visit, call or text.  He expressed to me that the he was completely surprised by the outpouring of well wishes and comfort.  I told him, “Dad, you gotta be kidding, you have so many friends and you speak and joke with anyone and everybody!”  Thinking about it today, he would be overwhelmed by the attendance, and the display of love of his family, friends and fellow employees here at his “Celebration of Life.”.
Dad loved life and lived each day to its fullest especially with my Mom.  I can tell you that he was the healthiest person that I have ever known.  Where do you find a parent that only took one prescribed medication and had no blood pressure, heart or other ailments.  He would only complain of simple pains occurring from his favorite sport, tennis and had some melanoma problems resulting from the sun at, of course, at tennis!  Dad was always concerned about his kids saying that he was so worried that we would pass away before him and he would be very worried every time we ended up in the hospital or had a serious doctor visit.  He threatened me and said, “You better not go before me because I would get really upset!”

pg1 (cont.)

At church for piano performance by Grandniece from Australia.

Celebrating same birthday with nephew Simon Chan.

I never personally met you but from what I heard from John (loveable bf), you were quite the amazing guy. I wish we could have met and talk about tennis and other possible things. I hear you had quite a humor too. I wish I could have met his grandma too. You two seemed quite a duo and I hope I can have many fun adventures with John like you two did. Hope you and Ms. Barbara have fun adventures in paradise!

Our favorite meeting place.  Ala Moana food court after tennis.

Sorry for the loss of this great person. I will always remember his kind smile and always taking care of others. So happy I had the privilege of having lunch with Don last year during my visit to Hawaii. RIP my friend. :)

Dad, full of surprises on our many trips.  I will miss his smile and laughter.

I'm glad we got to visit you and meet you for brunch too long ago

I’m just happy you’re with grandma again, I know you missed her a lot, as we all did. Now you guys get to play tennis on the most beautiful court ever. We’re gonna miss our special lunch dates and all the jokes and Keno tips (that only worked for you, by the way). Love you grandpa!!

I will always remember the stories you shared and the laughter.  RIP uncle Don!  I will miss our talks.  Forever in my heart ❤️ Jeanine

I will miss my many trips with my dad!  I'm so glad I spent all this time with him after my mom passed.  He needed me and I needed him!  Bon voyage dad!  Be with mom!

I will always treasure going to mom and dad’s  Aina Haina house hanging out on the lanai taking in the beautiful view of the mountains and valley. Then coming back in the house and seeing dad on his recliner with a beer in his hand watching sports.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Donald Leon Bartley

26 novembre 1939 – 13 juin 2024

Borthwick Mortuary

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