Donald Bower

Donald Bower was a tough man, who often lived a tough life, a life of many challenges, but also many triumphs. Donald worked hard for everything he ever had, quietly, diligently, and loyally. He was a man set in his ways but to those who knew him best, he will always be a good man.

Donald’s story began on a hot summer day in 1936, in the little town of Martin, Michigan. Those were such difficult times in this country, as the Great Depression slowly began to lessen its grip on the country, welcome relief amidst a sweltering heat wave that summer. On August 5, 1936, Clarence and Violet (Whipple) Bower found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy on the family farm, a son they named Donald Allen Bower.

Donald was the third of four boys on the farm, where his father raised dairy cattle and his mother cared for the home. Donald was dealt a terrible blow when he was just a little boy, when his mother died of pneumonia, when he was three.

Donald’s father was a tough man, and didn’t know particularly much about raising children. Subsequently, the elder Bower had a succession of wives and women in his life, in an attempt to keep the county officials from taking his kids away from him. Donald gained two step brothers as a result.

Needless to say, it wasn’t a very nurturing environment for young Donald to grow up in. He learned an impressive work ethic from toiling on the farm, under his father’s watchful eye, and became a bit of a loner. The happiest times of Donald’s childhood were spent with his beloved dog, Pal, who truly became his best friend and went everywhere with him. Later in life, Donald would often reminisce about his loyal canine companion, and the great times they shared together.

Donald attended Martin Elementary School as a boy, and eventually went to Plainwell High School for a time, where he completed the 10th grade. After that he left school, more interested in cars than classes. Donald fell in love with all the classic automobiles from the 1950s, though he could never afford to own a new one.

Don found work in Kalamazoo, at the State Hospital as an attendant. It was his personal life that was about to get more interesting, however. One night Donald went to the Plainwell Roller Rink with some friends, where he was introduced to a pretty young girl named Dawn Stacey. The two hit it off, fell in love, and were married on August 1, 1955 in Kalamazoo, at the Justice of the Peace, just before his 19th birthday.

Don and Dawn had three children in the coming years, Gail, Jeffrey, and their infant son Donald Allen II. Sadly, Donald II died of sudden infant death syndrome at just 7 weeks old in 1957, a terrible loss that was so hard for the young family.

Donald soldiered on, and provided for his family by working at the Sutherland Paper Company. He was a good provider for his wife and children, and a good, hardworking employee there, too, and picked up all the overtime shifts he could. Donald would remain there until he retired, after 37 years of dutiful service to what was then called the James River Company.

Donald wasn’t all work and no play, however. He was a big baseball fan, and loyally followed the Detroit Tigers over the years, through thick and thin. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR, being the lifelong car buff he was. He enjoyed watching old westerns like Bonanza on TV, and liked horror movies, too.

And Donald loved his family, even if he didn’t always say it. He was a loner, a tough, quiet man, and had a difficult time forming close relationships and articulating his true feelings. He could be opinionated, and he could be stubborn, too, but his family always knew he loved them.

Donald and Dawn suffered another tragedy later in life, when their son Jeffrey suffered severe brain injuries in an automobile accident, which affected the entire family deeply. Don and Dawn’s marriage ended in 1984, after nearly 30 years, though they remained good friends through it all.

Don became ill in 2006, suffering a thyroid problem which damaged his heart and caused congestive heart failure. Sadly, Donald died of a heart attack at his home on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, at the age of 70.

Donald was a tough man, who often lived a tough life, a life of so many challenges. He worked hard for everything he ever had, quietly, diligently, and loyally, and always for his family. He could be a gruff man, and he could be a tough man, but to the family he loved most, he will always be a good man.

Learn more about Donald, view his Life Story film and visit with his family and friends Friday from 5-8 pm and Saturday from 1-2 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Graveside service Saturday 2:15 PM Hillside Cemetery. Donald was preceded in death by his infant son Donald A. Bower II, his parents, and his brother Walter Bower. Members of his family include his 2 children, Gail & Michael Thomas and Jeffrey Bower, and their mother Dawn Bower, all of Plainwell; 3 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers; Lorence Bower of Richland and Jack Bower of Alamo, 1 step-brother Ronald Bower of NC, several nieces, nephews. Please visit Donald’s web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his Life Story, share a memory or upload photos, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution to MRC Industries.