Donald R. Kanipe passed peacefully on December 28, 2025, aged 90. He will be remembered for his love for his family, his knowledge of a seemingly endless number of topics, and his sharp sense of humor.
Donald was born in 1935 to Clayton and Mary Sue (Hill) Kanipe of Shelby, North Carolina. After graduating from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor's degree in English, he went on to earn his Master's degree from Appalachian State University.
Donald married his beloved wife Gail Jordan in 1961 and then taught English at Virginia Intermont College. After completing his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, Donald and his family moved to Gainesville, Florida so he could pursue his Ph.D at the University of Florida. During his career he worked at UF, Nova Southeastern University, and Santa Fe College.
Donald loved to learn as well as teach, and he shared his interests in photography, fly fishing, tea, jazz, and gardening with his children and grandchildren. Nothing, however, eclipsed his love of books. He was always happy to talk about his favorite authors, read you a perfectly crafted paragraph, or laugh so hard he couldn't breathe while showing you a James Thurber cartoon.
Donald is survived by his son Jeffrey Kanipe (Jaysa), daughter Allison Aguilar (Mark), grandsons Matthew and Daniel, siblings Betty K. R. Watson, Amy Spell, Pamela Lewis, and Kenneth Kanipe. He was predeceased by his brother Larry Kanipe and sister Rebecca Humelsine.
A memorial service for the family will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the many professionals at Glenwood of Gainesville and the E. T. York Hospice Care Center for their support.
Donald was born in 1935 to Clayton and Mary Sue (Hill) Kanipe of Shelby, North Carolina. After graduating from Belmont Abbey College with a Bachelor's degree in English, he went on to earn his Master's degree from Appalachian State University.
Donald married his beloved wife Gail Jordan in 1961 and then taught English at Virginia Intermont College. After completing his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, Donald and his family moved to Gainesville, Florida so he could pursue his Ph.D at the University of Florida. During his career he worked at UF, Nova Southeastern University, and Santa Fe College.
Donald loved to learn as well as teach, and he shared his interests in photography, fly fishing, tea, jazz, and gardening with his children and grandchildren. Nothing, however, eclipsed his love of books. He was always happy to talk about his favorite authors, read you a perfectly crafted paragraph, or laugh so hard he couldn't breathe while showing you a James Thurber cartoon.
Donald is survived by his son Jeffrey Kanipe (Jaysa), daughter Allison Aguilar (Mark), grandsons Matthew and Daniel, siblings Betty K. R. Watson, Amy Spell, Pamela Lewis, and Kenneth Kanipe. He was predeceased by his brother Larry Kanipe and sister Rebecca Humelsine.
A memorial service for the family will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the many professionals at Glenwood of Gainesville and the E. T. York Hospice Care Center for their support.
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