Don had advanced heart disease, though his passing was a shock to everyone. His family would love to hear how he made an impact on the lives of others. Please add any memory or story about Don here. To add a memory, click on "comments" right below and type away. Thank you for all your love and support.
Barb, Donnie, Tami, and Trever
Also feel free to contact us via email at tamiralynn9@hotmail.com
29 comments:
Tam, I can't write or even move right now but I will...this is the most beautiful tribute to your Dad. You know, you don't have to be a righteous, stern father to be a role model. Look what Don passed on to his children. I miss his laugh....Love Lucy
I will miss Don’s great smile and the way he said “hi Becky” and made me feel at home whenever I came over to the Summers, and how he always commented on the fact that I had grown so tall since last I saw him.
I remember the time when our AAU team went out for breakfast and there was an older fellow smoking in the restaurant sitting right next to us, blowing smoke in our faces as we coughed. As we left, he told the guy that he was just a big dork!
And also, the time during Hoopfest, my dad and Don were going to be late to one of our games, so my dad took off in a hurry, and he can be a fast walker. Don had a real hard time keeping up with him!
It makes me smile when I think of a time Tami told me that her dad heard the Pocahontas song “Colors of the Wind” on the radio and told her he really liked it. He had good taste!
As Tami mentioned, Don’s old Levis jeans were perfectly faded, so hip to us middle-schoolers.
Don lives on in his kids. The sense of humor shines through so much in all of them; I don’t know what I’d do without all the laughter! Oh, and thank you, Don for your beautiful daughter. She is the best and I love her!
My first memory of Don was from high school, coming down to the practice field I saw our running backs being thrown in the air. As my view cleared I saw a man on one knee flinging our backs one by one over his shoulder until all made it without fumbling. I will miss Don's terrific smile, laugh and stories. At this point, I am limited to this memory as I am having a tough time understanding this. BY GOD!
Don was by best friend in high school. John and Joyce were my second mom and dad as I lived there a lot of the time. One of my best stories happened after college while Don and I were living together. I was tending bar one night and Don was waiting for me to get through when there was fight right in front of me and I had to go and try to break it up. The guy that started it was really big but I had to try to stop it so I dove at him and he went down like a leaf. What I didn't know was that as I dove at him, Don had hit him over the head with a wooden chair. There wasn't much left of the chair and the guy didn't get up any time soon. We had some good times Bud, and I will miss you. Bill B
Dear Ones:
Gary and I have known Don since before Barbi and Don married. Don was quick to laugh and even quicker to hug. He absolutly had a heart as big as Texas. He built a "fort" for my kids out of nothing but scraps and we had it for years.
Don, I really felt like you should have had "fresh" donuts especially on your birthday. So...I used to bring you a dozen for your special day. You always laughed and looked like you had won the lottery!
Don, you were the "M & M" guy with our grandkids. You would come in and hide them behind your back. The kids always knew you had them and loved it! Such a sweet thing to do! I loved you for that...
Don, we had some funny conversations about you going "Comando"!! I just laughed my head off because you laughed, OH...that infectious laugh and the hee hee hee at the end!
Thank you Don for the beautiful necklace you got me last year...that was another beautiful big heart moment.
Well Don, I know you are just happy as a little clam up there right now and you know more than anyone of us!! When I see you I hope you have a donut in one hand and please wear some undies!! I Love you Don, Lucy
as donnie's baby sister my memories are long and veried, since there has never been a time he was not in my life. I always referred to him as Switzerland due to the fact he always agreed with whomever he was talking to within our family. He never stopped a conversation without saying "I love you sis". I was lucky to have two wonderful parents as well as three natural siblings(not counting the group of parents and friends we all had growing up in Grants Pass) Since Donnie's shocking passing a week ago my phone has rang non stop from so many of these wonderful extended family members. Stories have been shared as well as alot of tears. I cannot express what it has meant to me to know how much Donnie was loved and still remembered by our loved ones from the past. He will always be in my heart and the thought of that smile and shared secret jokes will get me through alot of lonely days. I loved you when I was a little girl and love you always as the younger, fatter sister.
Don what can i say, you were like a father to me. I have so many memories of you and the fam that its hard to pick one out. The things i remember most is the crazy ass sounds you would make when you sleep and also those sick cut off jean shorts. You always treated us like men and the fact that you were so modest and humble no matter what happened really shows how amazing you really were. The fact that i spilled a brand new crate of blueberries all over the kitchen floor and all you did is made fun of me for lets see seven years. I now realize that i have so many things in life that i use everyday that you have taught me and i thank you. Thank you for driving that bad ass boat that you call a cadi, thank you for eating shit with the coffee cup, thank you for letting us borrow the van to cruise the town, thank you for keeping a secret stash under the love seat...awesome!, thank you for always being happy and helpful even though your body wouldn't allow it and most of all thank you for being such a badass guy who not only raised an amazing family but who also loved me as if i was one of them...thank you Don. I'll miss ya.
Love ya man, Hus
P.S. While your up there giving mean stiff arms, make sure that we all live life and cherish every second with family and friends.
What a Great Smile . Even though I lost contact with him,Every Athelete I ever new always would mention Donny ,or ask do you know where he is? Fun Loven sports minded guy that had as a coach would say "HE HAD HEART"
Charlie #27 wrote
Don: I remember meeting you in Corvallis, you were driving the great pumpkin (V/W beetle) painted OSU orange with black trim wow! I was able to work with Don in our Orchard in Wenatchee, I was given two days to pick and transport three acres of apples,with Don's help, the job was completed. Don was always thinking of his family, I remember when he built a western town in his yard, then built a fort for our daughter Heidi. Don was an active and loving man to all those that knew him. He was more creative in a grander scale then pure art. Besides the western town, his landscaping, train room, and his work. I knew the manager of Noel food and he was forced to work as a delivery driver at the time and he wanted to hire someone, but he was a perfectionist! and hard to please! I told him about Don and he agreed to meet him. I called Don who met him at Dairy Queen, minutes after the call. He hired him on the spot. But when Noel foods was folding I lined him up with Food Services of America, Don was so loyal he declined the interview. Don had truck so well organized and knew his accounts so well that he could always finish in time to meet any deadline. His goal was to finish in enough time to coach or attend his childrens games. Don, you suffered so much relating to your knees, your football past had caught with you. "god dam knees".
Don had full confidence that his children would make a difference in this world. Don, the last time I saw you, It was July at U/W medical center and I was alseep. Somebody wAs about a foot from my face, calling my name. I thought what now? a physician without a white coat and wearing jeans wanting to run more tests. It was Don and Barb, on their way to visit Jada, they both looked like teenagers!
Don and the great pumpkin are probably standing at the chalk board, mapping out next season's defeat of U/O. Maybe you could block for me when I head your way. Love Gary
My best friend.
Don and I met twenty years ago on the basketball court as opposing coaches, coaching the boys when they were ten or 11. Don and Jack were coaching together and I remember getting into it with Don over some stupid defense rule. I walked back to the bench thinking who the hell does this guy think he is? Donnie and David were killing us. The next year Mark and Donnie played coast league baseball together on Such and Beck’s team. After that we coached several of the boy’s teams together and became the best of friends. No, we didn’t vacation together, have dinner at each other’s homes or drink beer at the bars. The dinners we had together were at McDonald’s, on road trips to our kid’s sporting events. Our families were intertwined during those years of sports with Mark and Donnie, Stacey and Tami playing together and Trev following his brother and sister.
I loved Don like the brother I never had. He had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known--he was all about the kids. Don was a super athlete in high school and a college standout. He even played some pro football. He was the fastest person I ever met; even in his forties. I never heard him brag about his accomplishments. To be sure he was proud of them but his pride in his own accomplishments didn’t hold a candle to the smallest accomplishments of his kids. Don was all about fun, he was always saying “Jesus Christ, lighten up Brownlee. Let em run” or the count was 3 and 0 and Don’s yelling swing away while I’m signaling the take sign! Thanks Don for helping me lighten up a little!
Don was a big kid and loved a practical joke. I remember we were all in a motel in Ellensburg. The channel kept changing on our TV and Mark had our remote. I yelled, “god damn it--knock it off Mark” several times until I was getting really pissed. The Summers’ bunch couldn’t take it any longer. They were all rolling on the ground outside our window hysterical because Don was outside changing the channel with his remote. I’ll never forget Don’s unmistakable snicker. Hey buddy, I’m really going to miss ya. We shared a lot of joy, glory and even some tears watching our kids grow up together. Not mention the splinters on the sidelines and in the bleachers. And, thanks for the halftime smokes. You could smoke two to my one! I could never figure it out but you were the fastest person I ever met.
After the kids were out of high school, every time we would see Don, he would always remind Rene of the last out of the 14 year old Babe Ruth state tournament championshipgame. The boys won and Rene jumped into his arms in celebration. I think it surprised him! We all thought the world of him! We would always talk about one of the kid’s triumphs--like when the girls finally beat West Valley for the district and regional basketball championship to go to state.
The last time I talked to Don, Rene and I and Don and Barb were picking up our grandchildren, Cooper and Jada, at one of the girl’s get togethers. We shared a hug and talked about the kids for a minute. I always thought Don was a Springstein look alike. He was a real man--he said what he meant and meant what he said, no bullshit. He was one cool dude He was the boss. Love ya Brother and I’ll see ya on the flip side.
Donnie, Tami, Trever and Barb, we are so sorry for your loss. Love your children like he loved you and the world will be a better place. Remember, only the good die young.
Love you guys, Dan and Rene
Thank you to all the dear and wonderful family and friends who have been so kind. Special thanks to my dear sister Lucy and Brother-in-law Gary, who love like nobody's business! All my family who have always been there for us, Don's favorite people ever, Hus and the guys, Stacy and the girls, David, Brian, Jake and guys, he honestly loved you all. A special tribute and thank you to my wonderful son-in-law Kelven May, who was the rock during our sorrow and quietly took care of the difficult responsibilities, thank you Kelven.
Don and I lived our lives together for over 30 years, doing what we loved most~ raising our 3 precious children. He could not have enjoyed being a father more. Becoming a grandfather to Jada Belle, was another highlight of his life, he absolutely adored her and vice versa!
Our family was usually found sitting at fields or bleachers, or home with kids in and out. Don was so welcoming everybody knew there was no need to knock at our house but walk right in, they were family. Trev, Tami, Donnie and Kelven captured everything about Don! This memory page made me proud, smile and actually laugh out loud. Life with Don was FUN, we laughed a lot and had so many great times. Actually we laughed a LOT! He was a dear sweet man and husband who always signed his notes to me with ~ Until the 12th of never, and that's a long long time~ Until we meet again, Love, Barb
Stan Evenhus says:
I can't talk right now because I'm crying my eyes out! Where to start? Barb, Donnie, Tami and Trever: I am so,so very sorry to hear of this. It's just to take such a wonderful man; your father and husband!
I had the good fortune to have been able to spend about a half hour with him just prior to his passing (I guess?). He stopped by our house to visit and I was so thrilled to see him. We hugged and shook hands and I can remember thinking how much I wanted to just keep him with me for longer - why? I don't know - just a weird feeling. But our relationship was kind of like that! We both traveled down somewhat similiar paths and he was never one to brag about his athleticism and accomplishments. We just knew, if you know what I mean! I would have done anything for him and he knew that to the very end - thank God. Hell yes he had had some problems but who hasn't? He was man enough to know when to say when and I admired him for that. His work ethics and family life were admirable, thus I was more than thrilled to have the opportunity to have him as an employee - it was just kind of an unwritten rule that we would just take care of each other when needed plus the fact that we could discuss sports on an "as needed basis".
I will always remember our shared times in the "Shark Tank" at the Eastmont gym! Barb didn't share our boisterous support of the team and Don never said too much- he didn't have to as we all said enough for him. It was so awesome to witness his strong support of you Tami as you helped lead our team through "it all!" Have some more West Valley as you cut down the nets in regionals; the horrible officiating job in Colville and then on to State! All of the games in AAU! Never to be forgotten!
We would sit in my office and talk about anything-but it always came around to his kids-not bragging by any means but just being supportive and I loved every minute of it.
Donnie and Trev- I never got to watch many of your games as Tessa was on to her sports and took us away from your games but your Dad and I would always share stats later.
I will always remember you Don and our times together. You were ever so humble around other people and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I thank you for letting me share some of your precious last hours with me.
Donnie, Tami and Trever; your words tear at my heart and are so very well written in spite of the pain you are going thru. I love you all and couldn't have said it better. God's speed to all of you and please know that I am here at any time for any of you should anything be needed. "Summers" are forever!! All my love - Stan Evenhus (another #7, Bruce Springsteen and Yankee fan) and Don knew it! I am a better man for having known you Don!!
I met Don about 18 years ago when I was coaching his daughter Tami and son Trever in little league baseball. As the years went by I coached Trever in AAU basketball and Babe Ruth Allstar Baseball teams.I got to know Don better each year because his family was so important to him, that he was always at the practices and games.
I felt a "kindred spirit" with Don, since we had both played college football in the Northwest Community College football league and then on to play at 4 year institutions. We both had a warriors heart and loved playing the game of football.
In the past years I would see Don when he would come out to spray our lawn for Vita Green. It was always good to reconnect, talking about our "Glory Days" of football, and how proud we both were of our families.
It has meant alot to us that Trever has stayed close to our family, spending time with us at Lake Chelan on our Memorial Weekend retreats. I know that Don was so proud of Trever and the young man that he has become.
It has been a pleasure to know Don and to have him as my friend. I will miss him. This man who had a warrior's spirit, yet loved his family so.
Mike Davis
Barb, Donnie, Tami and
Trev, I am so sorry to hear about Don. He was such an influence on me, he showed me what it was to be a father. He never let go of his family. We moved to Greenbriar St in the 80's, and I can remember calling the guy down the street " Ed Hume" because his yard was so immaculate. How in the world was I supposed to keep my yard looking half as good as that, well I couldn't come close. Remember the time when I was putting in a above ground swimming pool and here come's Don with his shovel. Then when it was finished, we would here this big splash, and look out the window and here would be Don walking by soaking wet. Or the 4th of July when some neighbors behind dons house was letting of some huge firecrackers in a dry field and late at night. I wet over to Dons house and next thing I new we were jumping fences and in thier faces, they quit. I would help Don sometimes with the food fair, I could never keep up with him, he would shoulder up two 100# bags of rice and take off. I miss you buddy more than you can know. I took my wife's small hammer and broke it, he couldn't wait to tell on me. His laugh was infectious. His heart was bigger than any i know. Our kids were at each others house constantly, but it was hard to keep up with the play house's that he had built. Remember the snowball fights across Dave's yard. You will be missed by all. Barb, Donnie, Tami, Trev Iam the father that I am because of Don. I've never known a person like him. Iam am blessed to think that I was a friend. May God's hand be on you all.
Sharon, you know how I felt about Donnie. I'm so sorry to hear the news. I've got a few hundred stories about mine and Donnies exploits in G.P. but probably better keep em to myself. I damned near cryed with Charlie 51's "By God". Can still hear your Dad saying that.
It is a fact that he was one of the hardest hitting , guttiest, go for broke players any of us ever saw at G.P.H.S. He just loved to whack people. If they got up he was pissed. If he was your friend you never, ever, had to worry about your back. He was a bud for life.
So, Don, you old panoche' save me a seat, we'll catch up and continue on with this conversation another time.
Don was an amazing guy. I'm really going to miss him.
Only Donnie Summers could give a young girl the nickname of "Whale" and make her feel that it was totally cool! I was about 10 or 11 years old when I met Donnie. I was in the swimming pool, being an obnoxious little sister, showing off for my big sister's friends, splashing around and blowing bubbles. Donnie said I sounded like a whale and the name stuck. Every time I saw him after that it was "Hi Whale"! He was my cool buddy who had given me a nickname and that made me cool too! The name stuck and developed into an interest in whales. I look around my living room and see the collection of various whale carvings, statues and knicknacks. I think of Donnie. It makes me smile. I know someday I will see him again and he will greet me with "Hi Whale" and it will be totally cool all over again. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your letters are awesome; a wonderful, warm testament to a man who lived big, played hard and loved much.
From Pat H. - #22:
I first met Donnie Summers when we were in the 6th grade. We were at different schools. Grants Pass had track meets and Junior Olympics in the 6th grade. He was fast, I was fast, we both ran the hurdles. We were competitors. Donnie came up to me with his grin, “Hi, I’m Donnie Summers.” He was very friendly and I liked him immediately.
Donnie, I wish we had kept in closer contact after high school. I would have loved meeting your family. After reading their letters to you, I know the world would be a better place if more children had a father like you. We all miss you, our friend, our bigger than life legend. Your passing seems impossible, we are all very saddened. Through your children you live on. I have three stories about you they may not have heard and I think they will enjoy them.
You Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape
The week following our games the coaches would gather us into a darkened room to watch game film. They would run the film, stop it, analyze play and make suggestions as to how we could improve, then go on. One week we were watching the film - Donnie was near the sideline. The play was over. We noticed one of their players streaking in hoping to blindside Donnie, maybe hurt him, maybe knock him out of the game. Our coaches refer to such individuals as “artists.” “Cheapshot artists.” It was not a compliment. Our coaches stressed that we were not to be “artists.” This scurrilous knave had nearly reached Donnie when some primordial instinct alerted him of impending danger. Donnie pivoted slightly, assessed the situation, and BAM! KABLOEY! Donnie caught him under the chin with a forearm shiver. Mr. Cheap Shot then flew up into the air and landed on his butt in a crumpled heap. Minus his cleats. A flat footed single forearm shiver. Destruction. Unbelieveable! Did I see what I saw? Yes, coach hit the rewind button. Cheap shot is coming in. BAM! On his butt. Rewind, coming in, BAM! On his butt. Coach must have done this a dozen times. We howled! Now Mr. Cheap Shot may not have caught any of the humor in this, but we did. You don’t tug on Superman’s cape.
The most amazing thing about this incident other than the fact that it did happen was that in that room that night it was the first time any of us knew anything about it. Donnie hadn’t said anything. He was modest that way about his accomplishments. Now I can’t be sure, but I am guessing if I had done anything as way cool as that, then one or two of us may have been waiting to view it on the silver screen. Possibly the whole room.
Uhh, I may have exaggerated about the cleats but the rest is gospel.
Chasing Chipmunks
Terry’s parents had a cabin on the Little Deschutes river in central Oregon. Terry had invited Donnie and me to spend a few days there. In the field we noticed a lot of chipmunks scurrying about. “Hey, chipmunks are cute, let’s catch one.” First we put on gloves in case they tried anything fancy, like bite. Then we tried to catch a chipmunk. To anyone observing from a distance, not knowing we were chipmunk chasing, we may have looked silly. Three grown boys scampering to and fro, diving on the ground. One chipmunk saw a dead tree trunk and dived down a hole beneath the roots. Safe! Safe that is until Donnie morphed into the Incredible Hulk. This trunk was maybe four feet high with a root ball of three feet in diameter. Donnie wasn’t one to let something as trivial as a tree stump deny his quest. He pushed, pulled, and ripped that trunk out of the ground exposing the poor chipmunk. Terry and I looked at each other, eyebrows arched, “hoo! This guy is way stronger than previously suspected.” …do you think he will stay green?
Uh, Oh
Donnie, Terry and I had been invited to play in the North South Shrine Game. We had two weeks of camp practicing with the game to be played in the 2nd week. Sometime during the 2nd week the coaches wanted to evaluate our progress. They called for a live scrimmage with Donnie and Terry on defense and me on offense. The play called was a “quick” between guard and tackle. I was the running back. For this play to be effective with a 136 pound “feather merchant” like me, our linemen needed to open a small hole and someone needed to seal off the linebacker, briefly, so I could shoot though. None of this happened! So who do you suppose was waiting for me, grinning? Donnie Summers! Donnie may not have read many of Shakespeare’s plays but an avid reader of football plays he was and he had read this one! UH, OH, THIS IS GOING TO HURT! In this situation, with Donnie Summers there was no escape. I had seen the results many times on our way to the State Championship, The runner went down, hard. The only variations to the conclusion were how fast, how slow, or, if the runner got up. I prepared for the inevitable explosion and soon found myself on my back, inventorying body parts, hoping I might still be able to contribute in some limited capacity in the upcoming game. Then I realized, “hey, I’m awake.” That wasn’t so bad. Then Donnie spoke softly in my ear hole explaining why, “That’s because we’re friends.” He had dialed down the pain considerably. Donnie valued his friends and was loathe to maim one of them. A Donnie Summers hit could easily be compared to a 185 pound cobra uncoiling on your ass. Lightning fast, painful, and deadly. But not this time, thankfully.
Dearest Summers Family ~ Heather told me the news this evening, and I wanted to convey my heartfelt condolences to each of you. Don left this earth far too early, but we are all blessed to have known and loved him. I will always remember his genuine welcoming of me, Nick and Heather when we moved to East Wenatchee. I, too, recently lost my dear father, Joel Reeder. I know, too well, the depth of your sorrow, and I hope the wonderful memories you have will give you strength through these very difficult days ahead. With love, Sheryl Reeder
I am so sorry to hear about Don. I always thought of your family as the perfect one. I loved the support and love you showed your children. Look how wonderful they all turned out.Thank you for doing this site. I loved seeing all the pictures and stories, even though they made me cry through most of them.
I have fantastic memories of allof you!
Kay Rank
i went to school with don he was the fastest guy on caveman feild as i remember back in 1964 jim p
I went to high school with Donnie and he was way cool and so neat... I had one date with him and we steamed up the back of the car at the local drive-in.. I thought I had died and gone to heaven... We did not date again, but I will never forget him.... He was bigger than life, so handsome, so athletic, and so on.... I spoke to him in 2005 when I was planning our current re-union, and told him we really wanted him to come.. He did not remember me, but I told him how much it would mean if he came... He said he would try, but there was something about a baseball game for his son, or something for the family... so, we did not see him in 2005.... I am so sorry, but ever so glad that that I got to talk to him.... it sounds like his family came first, and that is how it should be.... Good for you, Don, good for you... Here is a poem by Robert Service that fits the image of you I have gathered from this site: "So you'll live, you'll live my lad; In the gleam of the evening star;In the wood note wild and the laugh of the child; In all sweet things that are. And you'll never die, my wonderful boy; While life is noble and true; For all our beauty and hope and joy; We will owe to our lads like you."
Good-bye and God Bless you Donnie....
Georgia Buck Waterbury
To the Summers family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Don was a great guy and a great friend.
Trever, Tami and Donnie- from your letters to your dad, it is clear that you knew the same person I went to school with. We are all lucky to have known him.
I know he shared his football stories as a Caveman and a Beaver with you. I know this because he said one of you had to call him out and say,”Dad, sit down and shut up! Your glory days are over.”
Did he ever tell you what an incredible defensive player he was? As was the custom of that era, he did what the coaches asked or told him to do. But he was a defensive marvel! When the coaches made him a running(blocking) back, he became a good one. But he was a defensive marvel! He was very tough and learned how to block. But he was a defensive marvel!
On defense his talent was something that can’t be taught. His speed, quickness and football sense allowed him to deliver a hit that was something to behold. He didn’t need the perfect angle, surprise or a full head of steam to make a crunching tackle. For two years at GP I played safety behind his linebacking, a wonderful place to view and appreciate his talent and “GIFT.”
As a blocking back at OSU he made a big contribution to the team, and I think he was happy to do that. But trust me, not having Don Summers play defensive back made life easier for every running back and receiver on the Beaver schedule!
His “GIFT” was rare indeed!
My best wishes, Larry
About six months ago I was working my way up the in-patient floors in St. Mary's hospital with a one ton piece of x-ray equipment on wheels. As I entered the patients room I began my beaten path of conversational questions for the patient to distract him from the fact that I'm about to blast him with some radiation.(Its diagnostically beneficial, okay!)
So where's home for you I ask. Medford Oregon he replies. My first response was, Are you a Duck or a Beaver fan? Beaver fan he said. My second response was a shot in the dark but I had to ask. Do you remember a guy by the name of Don Summers? Hell yeah he says, he was a hell of a football player! I got tingles all over. We continued to talk about Don a little longer. I wish I could have stayed there all day the him.
Don has been and will always be a part of my memories and with those memories he has connected me to complete strangers for whom are now friends.
Don inspired me to never lose my youthfullness. He not only allowed but almost invited us teenage punk kids to mess with him. We would cheap shot him in the back of the head or shove stinky, dirty socks in his pillow case and it took him weeks of sleepless nights to figure out where that horrific smell was coming from. For this I will miss him the most. I wish I could have gotten one last cheap shot in.
i still bring up this web site out of respect for don i will always remember his birth day same as my freinds a great foot ball player jim
Hi Barb and family, Don't know if you remember me (PJ Flaming) I worked with Don at GTE in Beaverton in the later 70' Even had dinner at your place on Village Lane on more than one occasion. I was reading in the Oregonian last week about 67' Giant killers and Earthquake mentioned Donnies name as the late Don Summers. I was shocked and started hunting the Internet didn't know if you were still in tri Cities or what. I finally found this in memory of Don Summers. Saw the pictures and became filled with good ol memories. What a guy, wild and crazy. I always knew that if i got in trouble he would cover my backside. and he did more than once. We played softball together. he would always bring his Ore State blanket and lay it down on the bench for good luck.Didn't always help but it was still special. If we were short an outfielder it didn't matter Don could cover it all by himself.man was he fast! and crank the ball, Don't think there was a right field fence long enough for him. We worked for a couple years at GTE One day he said he as taking BArb abd the baby and moving to Sisters to work for Untied tel. and wanted me to come along That we could all live at his brothers cabin.i said yea right! don't know if that move ever happened but one day ya'll were gone. I know those were tough times but ya made it through them and it looks like you put together a great family. Anyway I just wanted the whole Summers family know that even though it's been 30 plus years i have often thought about Don and wonderd how he and you were doing. His friendship meant very much to me and he will always be in my thoughts.
Pj (pj@baxterflaming.com)
Donnie, I'm sorry I didn't stay in touch. Another lesson on how delicate and short life can be. I'm calling people I haven't seen for a while....thanks Donnie for the memory of your devilish smile and the fun we had. Steve Tennent
was thinking of don couple days ago had a dream we were playing football i lite a candle thanks for the memories don
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