Don Bledsoe

By Jennifer Decker
jdecker@kpcmedia.com
LAKE JAMES — Don Bledsoe's life centered around the Lake James waters, where he lived, loved and played.
Don died Oct. 3, 2016, from leukemia at age 60 surrounded by family and a view of the lake. He greatly cherished both.
He was born in Angola Nov. 21, 1955, to Roy and Margaret "Peg" Bledsoe.
Growing up, Don worked the family business at Bledsoe's Beach and later at Tom's Donuts
Appropriately, since his life revolved around water, he met his sweetheart and wife, Cathy, on the beach at Pokagon State Park in 1974. He worked there as a lifeguard.
Don and Cathy were married 40 years. They have two children, a son, Joel; daughter, Lindsay; and granddaughter, Kiaja.
"He worked hard," Joel said. "When I was a kid, he worked 80 hours a week and showed up to watch my basketball games. I don't know how he did it."
In sports, Joel said his dad liked basketball, football and NASCAR.
Lindsay said her father was easy to like. He was known by many names: Donnie B., Don, Donnie and Big Papa Don. It matched his fun-loving personality.
"I don't think there's enough time in the day to tell about him. My dad was one of the more likable guys you could ever meet," she said. "He was a giant, super sweet and loved everyone. Dad left an amazing legacy and every person who knew him loved him."
Don had an engineering degree, but long worked as a truck driver. Lindsay said her father drove hundreds of thousands of miles. Along the way, he helped many other drivers. Don was a union representative for Teamsters Local 414. He fought for the little guy, solving problems and grievances and making a difference for those around him.
"When we were growing up, he worked really hard. He had week-long hauls as an adult," Lindsay said, adding it didn't stop him from being a family man.
Don and his siblings were given the family's lake home on Sowles Bay by their parents. It was well loved and put to good use by the family.
"Every since then, my dad would spend a majority of the time (there). It was a family home, a very hospitable house," she said.
Don relished grilling bratwursts and burgers, hosting lake house parties, taking pontoon rides and watching the waves.
"If he wasn't working, he'd be grilling or sitting watching the sunset with whoever was there," Lindsay said. "He was known best for being a really cool guy."
The love of family and the lake was instilled in Don. In turn, his family and friends threw him a May benefit that was well attended. Proceeds went toward his medical bills.
Then, there was music. Don's preference was classic rock.
"He liked Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Meatloaf. There'd be times we'd clean out the lake house and the music was full blast on Meatloaf," Lindsay said.
Meatloaf, the musician, also brought the father and daughter together.
"Last fall, we found out Meatloaf was coming to Detroit. We went on a nice, little overnight trip. Three weeks later, we found out he was sick and shortly after, he passed," she said.
"He was a great, genuine, lovable guy who would do anything for anyone," Joel said. "I learned how to be a gentleman (from him)."
Donations in Don Bledsoe's name can be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.