Donald Y. McPherson, Sr. 70, of Lakeland, FL passed away on August 31, 2023. He was born September 18, 1952 in Raleigh, NC. He moved to Hampton, Va at the age of 6, where he grew up.
He is survived by his wife Sue, sons Donald and Stephen, his sisters Cecile Owens and Sandie McPherson.
Don was preceded in death by his father Winfred McPherson Sr., his mother, Charlene, and his brothers, Charles and Winfred Jr.
He graduated from Kecoughtan High School. Following high school, he served in the Marines. He was owner of Coastal Mortgage Services from 1987 until his retirement in 2022. When not working, he could be found on the golf course or in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes.
No services are planned.
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Bonnie Bridger (Mittelmaier) (1969)
This doesn't seem possible that this classmate has passed away. I can remember him as such a darling young boy. Recalling, from all those years back how full of life and fun Donnie was as he grew up, just behind me. Well, prayers for peace and comfort and joy in the great eternity. God is watching over you now.
Bonnie Bridger Mittelmaier '69
Stephen "Pete" Peterson, Jr. (1970)
I remember Don from my two years at Kecoughtan. My family and I moved from Fort Monroe to the house next door on the corner in 1967. He challenged me to a few wrestling matches in his front yard shortly after meeting him. Through him, I met Jeff Burkhart just down the street and Steve Mason, as well as others from the area. I vividly remember having football games in the field behind our houses with those three and Harry Kennedy from the house behind us as well as my younger brothers and possibly others from the neighborhood. It brings back memories of my father who often played with us, usually as the quarterback. He passed away in 2011 in San Antonio, TX many years after he retired from the US Army at Fort Bliss, Texas.. I also remember pitching to Don at the back of the telephone building with a rubber ball. As a lefty, I fancied myself a Sandy Koufax in those days but Don was able to hit me pretty well no matter how hard I pitched. He was very athletically inclined and probably should have played sports at Kecoughtan. I don't remember him doing so, however.
It is sad to hear of his passing as it brings into sharp detail the passage of time and the reality that life is never guaranteed and always appreciated. I hadn't spoken with Don in over 50 years but it appears from his short biography that he led a happy and fulfilling life. As I remember him, he was never one to take life too seriously and I sincerely hope that he has embraced whatever existence karma has taken him to.