Donald Wayne Shoemaker

1937 - 2017

August 4, 1937 - February 20, 2017 Donald Shoemaker died February 20, 2017 at his home in San Juan Capistrano, CA, after a four year illness. Don was born August 4, 1937 in New Castle, PA, to Wendell and Doris Shoemaker. In 1971 he formed Shoemaker Films, a production company specializing in sports films and commercials. His camera work on Olympic games won him an Emmy. In 1972 Don was on the site of the attack on the Munich Olympics where 11 Israeli team members and a German police officer were killed. Don helped ABC network feed that story to the world. Other highlights of his long career include cameraman for 10 Monaco Grand Prix's, "Race Across America," a ten day 3000 mile bicycle race. He was also a cameraman and editor on Bruce Brown's feature film "On Any Sunday," and he filmed many Baja, Mexico 500 and 1000 race events. He is survived by his wife, Emily Glenn Shoemaker, of 57 years, his son Mark, daughter-in-law Jan Brockman Shoemaker and three grandchildren Brock, Pearl and Bailey, all of Laguna Beach, California. Don lived a full and wonderful life. His work and pleasure trips took him to 6 of the 7 continents. He loved his work, family, automobiles, auto racing of all kinds, and golf. Don was loved and will be remembered for his soft-spoken kindness, strength and creativity. He left us too soon. We love and honor you, "Pops."