Beautiful Kristy Boyle Hartsook we all have good memories of Don and miss him very much. One of my last conversations with him other than when he was in the hospital was that as soon as the sale of his business closed he was going to retire. We talked about chartering a sail boat since we didn’t have ours anymore and going sailing for a week or two together. I am so sorry we never got the chance to make that voyage. I pray that you are resting in peace Don in the ocean you loved so much. ❤️

No wonder I have been unable to connect with Don the past 2 Christmas times. So sorry to hear of his passing! I remember going with Don and Sherry on their honeymoon in the Winnebago, car racing in DC with his Valiant and my Rambler, being bunk mates at Massanutten Military Academy, toking all around in Vienna and Falls Church, riding in my blue VW bus with Lani, Sherry and Don was always a blast! I miss him so much!

I wrote this in May when I found out on had passed. So many days when I see something or hear a song that reminds me of him. I think I’ll - no I can't call you Don. I am so mad that you are gone and I think if you had been vaccinated I could pick up.tje phone and call you and make plans for us to get together since you would have been retired. My heart is broken for all of us that knew him and have such a big spot in our lives that he filled. Love you forever Buck, Don, my brother.

May 7,2021
Today is my brother former in-law/brother for life’s 70th birthday. We have stayed in touch. I got an email from Cherri Udovin this morning saying that she chuckled thinking that Don Ewing is turning 70 today. As I read it I had a funny feeling. I called him and his phone went straight to email, then his mailbox was full. I went home got on FB found his son Hunter’s FB page.

Sadly Hunter had a beautiful note on his FB page about his Dad who passed away March 10. Don had gone to the hospital having trouble breathing March 1 and ended up days later in the ICU on a ventilator.

I loved hearing Don’s voice it just made me smile. By happenstance I found an interview he did in February with Amplify Clearwater where they were talking about Entrepreneur’s. They asked Don about his story. It was like he was telling his life/obituary in his own words. I loved listening as he spoke and hearing his great laugh.

Through the years I would send him a video of Steve Miller, the Who or another band we used to listen to as we played cards on the floor of the living room. He would say “How do you rememberthis?”. Don, Cherri & I saw Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Who, Janis Joplin, The Youngbloods and many others together. We went to marches against the war on the mall, we drove out to the corn fields of Vienna to smoke pot.

Don had a yellow vw he called “The Screaming Yellow Zonker”. One night I believe in a snow storm Trish Giles, Cherri, Don , myself and i don’t remember who else were playing cards listening to music and we hear a car going down our street. Trish looks up and says “that sounds like a screaming yellow zonker.” We all laughed and continued playing. A couple hours later Don went out and the car was gone. Today on back in the 60s in NoVa someone asked if anyone remembers the snack Screaming Yellow Zonkers. . .
Don I wish I could have wished you Happy 70th Birthday. You are and forever will be my brother!!!! I will add pictures later.

My youngest daughter, Kristy, just put a wonderful tribute on here about Don. We will always have a special place in our hearts for him. He was best friend even from afar or visiting us in Nashville & being an adventurous cook with us trying out Julia Child’s recipes. Once we were in the middle of preparation for our gourmet dinner & the Kroger sack guy had left a sackful of groceries in the store. This was before delivery days! Next we knew Don is on the phone to Kroger explaining to the manager what happened. In about 15 minutes our groceries were delivered to our home! Really impressed our girls & thought he could work miracles. I’m trying to tell how much he was a part of our family for more years than most of you were probably born. Don adored Hunter when he finally had a child of his own & we got Hunter reports often & if lucky we were in FL for several of his ball games. Going thru some items stored in a drawer of my desk I found Hunter’s grad pics & invitations plus a thank you card. All thru his school years Don & Deena kept our families blended. I know when we arrived at our surprise anniversary party Don was the first person I spotted with the biggest smile at our surprise. Yes he was family. Yes we feel he was taken too soon & yes he will be missed just like a member of our family. We love you Don.

Don had a love for life, sailing, laughter, serving others, his friends but mostly an extraordinary love for his family and his son Hunter that will never be forgotten. I really don't remember my childhood without Don being a part of it. He was a dear family friend, but that word "friend" doesn't seem like it's close enough. He was FAMILY & we loved him as such.
My favorite memories were as a child & teenager sailing on our boat, the "China Cloud". It seems like Don was always part of our crew- at least the majority of the time.
He was sweet & salty, honest (good or not but loved him for it :) and he had such a great, great laugh. I can still hear it in my mind because it was such a joyful sound.
I think my sister Michelle & I were his trial run on kids- or getting used to them in close quarters for long lengths of time, haha. He got to experience A LOT with us girls. Like I said, we were like family- so we were all "real with each other".
He had such great depth and even at our last meeting when we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary, I felt like I had just seen him a few days before. The connection never missed a beat. He flew all the way to Nashville just to surprise them. They were so excited to see him there! That's the way he loved. He showed up... We had some wonderful times, laughter, talks about old times and hugs, great great hugs...I remember the last one vividly and glad I held on a little longer. I thought it was just for a short goodbye- hoping to meet up again soon when I came to Tampa. I'm glad it was a good one.
Don left an amazing legacy for all who knew him in addition to an incredible impact on his community. That makes me so proud.
However, I will remember us sailing, listening to steel drums & of course Jimmy Buffet, getting some sun, drinking punch and working the sails out on the open sea. These are precious memories I will never forget. Love those close to you well and make memories with them while you can. I feel like Don was taken from us too soon, but I do believe in God's timing as much as it hurts. I have to trust in that to find peace & I pray for that peace that surpasses all understanding to surround his family and all who loved him as well. You made the world a better place Don.
Until we meet again....
I will love you forever Don.
                        ~Kristy

Don was a true ambassador for our community. He has been and will continue to be sorely missed! I pray that the Lord will continue to be a comfort to his family and loved ones.