Donald was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Shirley Joyce (McGeehan) Carrier and their two daughters, Dawn Marie and Mary Ann, granddaughter Stephenie Michelle Carrier, and special friend Shari (Becker) Sokoloski. Don was born in Evansville, Indiana on October 9, 1930 and moved to the Muskegon area in 1941. He was born to Henry Carrier and Iona McGehee. Don served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Don worked for 33 years at Amstore/Custom Source, first as a laborer, union president, then joined management, and retired as a lead estimator. He also worked at Orchard View Community Education for 25 years staffing their Couples Volleyball sessions. His volleyball sessions were often wait-listed and he enjoyed the many friends he made through volleyball. Don was a founding member of the East Muskegon Football club, where he held the office of president on several occasions over many years. He coached peewee football and worked tirelessly with his wife Shirley to stock concession stands, manage sports equipment, and transport players and cheerleaders to and from practices and games. He also coached women’s slow pitch softball for many years, enjoying the many friends he made and camaraderie of sports. Don also worked at E&A Grocery on Apple Ave for many years.
Don enjoyed camping and traveling. He enjoyed traveling through many of our nation’s National Parks. His family and friends admired his ability to create travel packages for road trips that included everything from which exit to use to gas up the vehicle, to what radio stations would be available in the area when traveling. He often received phone calls from those seeking directions to avoid traffic jams, construction or those who were lost. Don enjoyed board games, cards, particularly cribbage, and he built the best bonfires. He taught several generations how to properly construct a bonfire, so it created a great bed of coals for roasting marshmallows and other treats. He was well-known for using a hollow log on his fires. Don enjoyed eating and was known to create road trips to specific restaurants or seeking specific food, broasted chicken was a favorite. Don rode motorcycles for many years with a group of several men who enjoyed riding through the woods on a Saturday morning. He also arranged and coordinated several white-water rafting trips with coworkers over several years. Don lived a robust 92 years enjoying friends, family and the wonders of nature.
Don will be missed greatly by his daughters, Rebecca Sue and Darla Jean Carrier, Faith Ann and Maureen "Mo" Kass-Carrier; his grandson Kenneth William Carrier, and four great grandsons Zachary Alexander Carrier, Kristopher Allen Carrier, Johnathon Ray Carrier, and Nicholaus William Carrier. Special friend Ruth Blair.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel 1783 E Keating Avenue. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and one hour prior to the start of the service on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Wings of Mercy, 100 Pine St #393, Zeeland, MI 49464.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.EverRestFuneralHomeandChapel.com for the Carrier family.
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