Born December 17,1938 to James and Marthellen Halcrow in Chicago, Illinois. Donalds’ parents moved here from Scotland due to war and high unemployment. Donald had 2 older brothers Jim and Bob and the family lived in Chicago until James death at the age of 39. Donald moved to Florida with his mom and 2 brothers and lived on Lake Barton in east Orange County. Donald attended school at Boone and met his wife Rita Izor there. Donald went into the Army and was stationed in Greenland for his time served. He divorced Rita and went to work at Continental Canning Company and worked as a forklift operator for 30 years. Donald also served as the union shop steward for Continental Canning Company. When the company made a planned move to relocate to another state, Donald chose to take early retirement at the age of 48. He travelled the first couple of years with his Chicago friend Ed all over the United States. He also helped in his brother Jim’s local lawn business. Donald enjoyed his friends, the dog track, the JaiLai and the casinos. He made several trips to Biloxi to the casinos and also to Las Vegas where he gathered with his father James family who live in California and also enjoyed the casinos in Las Vegas. Donald spent the last 20 years or so with his friends at Blue Bottom and they became an extension of his family as he cared for them as he would his own. In his mid-seventies, Donald attempted a reconciliation with his ex-wife. He took her to parties and introduced her to his friends at AA. Shortly thereafter he started developing memory problems and had several hospitalizations over the last few years.
Donald was a quiet man being the youngest of three. He used to tell stories of spending time in his grandparents store in Chicago. His grandmother would put him in the candy case while she waited on customers( maybe that’s where he developed his love of candy). Donald spent time in Washington state with his Uncle John as a young man and cherished the memories of those times with his uncle. He also cared for his mother and sold his home in Pine Castle to move back to the house on Lake Barton when she could no longer care for herself.
Donald was a generous man. In 2006 he gave his only child the land at Lake Barton with the understanding that his daughter and son in law would build a house and 4 generations would there. Until his memory issues developed, Donald and family enjoyed their life at the Lake House.
Donald is survived by his older brother Robert Halcrow(Oklahoma) and a nephew Robert and niece Carrie. His brother James(1995) son, James and a niece Dawn. His daughter Donna Godell, son-in-law Gary, granddaughters Stephanie Godell and Tiffany Godell and his great-grandson Andrew Godell also known as -Little Bobby Squeaks. He also has several cousins in California and Washington state.
Private service for family and Blue Bottom. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to any dementia or Alzheimers organization.
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