Donald Paul Blackmond

December 19th, 1950 - August 27th, 2021

Donald's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Donald here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Not being in Michigan anymore, I had just recently heard about Don’s passing and had to pass along my memories of a great guy. Don and I were best friends throughout grade school where we attended Patrick Hamilton (not Justus Gage) in the late 50s and early 60s.

We met in 3 rd grade in Mrs. Manns’ class as he had just moved from Niles and I had just moved from Decatur. Don was already a piano player then as he, myself, and Jerry Parker sang our own composition of “Is There a Tater in the Crater?” with Don on the piano during a school talent show. Talk of space travel was getting popular then.

We were quite mischievous as we both sat in Mrs. Jurgensen’s class in 4 th grade and Mr. Reifenberg’s class in 5 th grade. By 6 th grade, they decided to separate us because of our mischief and Don went to Mrs.Otteson’s class and I went to Miss Echlin’s.

Throughout that time, we spent a lot of time on our bikes up and down Green Street as there were so many kids in the neighborhood. Wayne Comstock, Bob Hoff, Dean Claiborne, and Don and I were all good buddies. I’m sure there were more that I’ve since forgotten. So sorry to hear of the passing of a great guy. He will surely be missed.

Rick Kraus Grass Valley, CA

Rick Kraus

March 2nd, 2022 at 3:20pm

I’m so sad to hear about Don’s passing. Don was definitely one of a kind. There wasn’t a day that went by while I worked at SPI for him he would always ask where’s Rick at today. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, encouraging words of wisdom, and teacher. He was a great friend and mentor to myself and Rick. I always loved talking to him about his youth wether it was about his Mustang, Sailing, or his most prized possession his family. My thoughts and prayers to the Blackmond Family.

Missy Carpenter

August 31st, 2021 at 7:44pm

Don was an integral part of the SPI Industries family for 25 years. We are all deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Don was a very special person, he was a friend to most everyone fortunate enough to cross his path. He always had a story or a joke to share on nearly every topic under the sun. Don and another team member Gary Zachrich decided to do a social experiment at work by putting a candy jar in his office. It was unbelievable how much traffic that candy jar drew. Over the years Don and Gary bought so much candy especially the days just after Halloween or Easter to keep their fellow employees sugared up. It was a little competition between to see who could get the most candy for the littlest money. Don was also known for having change and acquired an affectionate nickname which I'll not share publicly. He had a slipper that he kept stashed in a drawer that was full of one dollar bills. And the sweaters, oh the sweaters. Don was always cold so he had these cardigan sweaters he would wear every day at work. The sweaters were a thing of beauty as they would get worn every day and develop wear and eventually holes. Don would blame Vicky when a sweater died for washing them in a machine instead of by hand. All in jest of course. Don simply had a way of creating relationships with anybody. Those of us fortunate enough to know him and work with him grieve today. He fought health issues long and hard. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all of his friends. We know Don's spirit is sailing on a lake somewhere in heaven.

James Doster President SPI Industries