Donald Lawrence Church

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Dement and Nina Marie (Porter) Church, in-laws Leonard and Hazel Lassley and Wanda (Lassley) and Bill Thompson. Don is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Mary Sue Church and lovingly remembered by his daughters, Debra (Randy) Nilsen, Cynthia Church, and Julia (Luke) Wardle, his grandchildren Tracey (Marianne) Nilsen, “Kicker” Donald Nilsen, Nyna (Cameron) Peck, Phoebe (Jarom) Sederholm, and Sophie, Jed, Zeke, and Ellie Wardle. He is also survived by his sweet great-granddaughter Peyton “PD” Nilsen, his sisters-in-law Shirley Sweet and Roxie Nicewonger, brother-in-law George Nicewonger, his nieces, nephews, and many dear and loving friends.

Don graduated from Medford High Class of 1953 in Medford, Oregon, received his B.A. in Business from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon and earned his Master of Business degree from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. He was a 60-year member of Medford Masonic Lodge 103, an affiliate member of the Los Gatos Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge, and a 50-year member of Asiya Shriners, San Mateo, CA. where he served as Chief-Aide to the Potentate for many years. He was also a member of his beloved Los Gatos Camel Herders Shrine Club for over 40 years. Even though he had much success in the high-tech industry, Don found his calling in real estate, concentrating on educating and helping first time home buyers.

Don’s family and friends will remember him as a true gentleman, a loving son, husband, father and grandfather, and a dear friend. His children and grandchildren will remember him most for his love of “tinkering” and fixing things, his love for music, and for lovingly offering his teaching of “life lessons.”

The family would like to thank caregivers Peter, Jacob and Allison, nurses Kay and Shirley, and the Hospice of the Valley staff for their tender care during Don’s long and hard-fought battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life and Masonic Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 8, 2022, at the Saratoga Federated Church, 20390 Park Place, Saratoga, CA 95070.

Donations in his honor may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital of Northern California, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 or to the charity of your choice.