Donald John
Spooner
June 15, 1943
- January 20, 2012
Don was born on June 15, 1943. He was born at Rimbey, Alberta. His parents were Minnie and Dick Spooner. Don had four brothers and three sisters. He grew up in Bridesville, B.C. Don was 16 when he moved to the Cariboo. At age 18 he met Charlotte Pigeon. They married on February 27, 1965. Dad was 21 and Charlotte was 17.
Don and Charlotte had three children - Mike, Doug and Sheila. They have five grandchildren - Eric, Madeleine, Brooklynn, Delaney and Sophie.
From the time Dad moved here, he worked in the logging industry. He worked many different jobs including at a sawmill, falling trees in the bush, operating a feller buncher, and later on running his own portable sawmill. He was a jack of all trades. He also enjoyed working with wood in his shop.
When he arrived in Clinton, Don played fastball with the rest of the guys on the Meadow Lake Muskrats. In 1997 he had his coaching debut behind the bench of the “Blood on Blades” hockey team. It must be mentioned that he was undefeated in his coaching career! Don enjoyed curling or should we say “bonspieling,” especially with Albert and Otto. Safe to say, those boys got into lots of mischief at all the curling rinks.
Don was diligent about driving his kids to many different arenas everywhere. Mike and Doug were hockey players and Sheila a figure skater. He was a cheerleader at any fastball and slo-pitch games in which Charlotte and the kids played. In his role as Papa, he cheered on the grandkids in whatever they chose ... hockey, basketball, and soccer... he was even a fan of Brooklynn’s flag football thanks to Facebook.
Don loved his hunting and fishing. No better times were had than those at McKinley and Louis Creek with the boys. He loved finding the “hot” fishing holes for his girls. He knew they would catch the big one and the squeals and giggles from the girls sure made him happy. Don enjoyed a good game of cards but it always had to be for a loonie! Dad had a great sense of humour and was the biggest tease of all. He was respected by all who knew him.
“Shootin’ deers and drinkin’ beers ... That’s how I roll!”