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Donald William Doan

Posted 2020-02-28 by mhenderson
Published in Today's News-Herald on Feb. 28, 2020 -
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
(personal article, page 6)

>> May 17, 1939 – February 21, 2020 <<

Donald William Doan, 80, passed away February 21, 2020 in Lake Havasu
City, Arizona. Donald was born in Detroit, Michigan to William and
Guinevere (Peggy) Doan.

Just out of high school, Don joined the Michigan National Guard. Don
is a graduate of General Motors Institute with a degree in Electrical
Engineering. Don worked the early years of his career at the Cadillac
Division of General Motors. Don worked for several corporations as an
Electrical Engineer including Collins Radio in Dallas, Texas. Don also
earned a Masters Degree in Business from the University of Michigan.
In 1966, the family moved to Texas. Don continued to work as an
Electrical Engineer. In 1969, Don and his wife Ann decided to move to
Saint Clare Shores in Michigan and develop their own business. After
much consideration, they decided to purchase a United Rental
Franchise. Don was a very honest and successful business man and in a
short time purchased two more United Rental Franchises. After
approximately ten years in the rental business, Ann and Don decided to
sell the business and retire in South Dade County, Florida.

In 1978, Don bought his first computer and started doing his own
programming. Everyone who knows Don understands he is a computer
wizard.

While in South Florida, Don was an avid fisherman.

Don was a founding member of the Florida Conservation Association and
past President.

Don was a Life Member of the Coastal Conservation Assosciation, Dade
County.

Don was a past President of South Dade Anglers.

The above three organizations worked hard to protect the fisheries and
develop artificial habitats for fish.

After Don’s wife, Ann, passed, he took a trip to Kalispell, Montana,
to visit his sister-in-law, Mollie McDaniel Glendening and Mollie
introduced him to Penny Leistiko. Don and Penny remained together
until he transitioned and passed early the morning of February 21,
2020.

While in Kalispell, Penny and Don did some traveling. They also
belonged to the Flathead Paddlers and for eight years Don was an
active member and enjoyed kayaking and kayak camping.

Don became a very active and enthusiastic Duplicate Bridge Player
resulting in achieving status as a Ruby Life Master.

Don was a Club Manager for the Flathead Valley Bridge Center for ten
years. His talents and technology brought the club into the 21st
century. He took the club from a shuffle and deal system with
everything completed on paper to computerized hands with hand records.
He set up a website with information for the club members and a yahoo
group where club members could email to find a partner for the game.
Under his leadership the club membership tripled in size. He was also
an exceptional Bridge player and was always kind to his partner at the
table, which is very difficult with the intense competition involved
in Duplicate Bridge.

In 2009, Don and Penny started coming to Arizona as snow birds. They
spent the 1st four seasons in Golden Shores. Then they purchased a
home in Lake Havasu City and spent seven winter seasons in Havasu.
While in Havasu, Don enjoyed being a member of the Havasu 4 Wheelers
and the Havasu Duplicate Bridge Club. Don was always a fun bridge
player and a gentleman to his opponents. He loved the game of bridge
and he will be missed by all.

Don was a financial educator through his website:
www.quantumonline.com.

Don was preceded in death by his wife; Ann McDaniel Doan, parents;
William and Guinevere Peggy Doan, daughter; Holly Khoury,
granddaughter; Kristen Ashley Doan and brother; Ray Doan.

Don is survived by his life partner of 27 years; Penny Leistiko, sons;
Paul and Mark Doan, granddaughter; Amanda Khoury, Grandson; Mark Ryan
Doan, niece; Julie Mae Longood, nephew; Steve Doan and Jeff Pernell
and sister-in-law; Mollie McDaniel Glendening.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s name to Hospice of
Havasu or to The Nature Conservancy.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 8, 2020 at The Center
For Spiritual Living, 2041 Swanson Avenue, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home.
Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.lietz-
frazefuneralhome.com. To send a free card go to
www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.





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