Donald William Doan, 80

Donald William Doan, 80, passed away Feb. 21, 2020, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Donald was born May 17, 1939, in Detroit 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. Don also earned a Master of Business degree 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 businessman and in a short time purchased two more United Rental franchises. After approximately 10 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 Association, 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 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 Feb. 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 10 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 snowbirds. They spent the first 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; nephews, 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 at a later date.

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