Don Margo

GREENSBORO — Mr. Don Gerry Margo, 60, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2008, with his wife, Joyce, by his side. He fought a long, courageous battle with lung cancer, never giving up hope of being one of the few survivors of this horrible disease.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at George Brothers Funeral Service in Greensboro with Reverend Charles Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park.

Don was born on April 8, 1948, and lived his entire life in Greensboro. He loved his hometown and always took great pride in taking visitors for a tour of what he thought was the jewel of the South.

He began his long, successful career with AMP/Tyco Electronics in September of 1969 and took great pride in working his way up the ladder. He was the one everyone went to with any question or problem because they knew Don would have just the right solution. At one point, his coworkers nicknamed him "Rambo" because he was the one to lead the way and immediately get things done. Don was instrumental in the design and development of several AC-power related products, most notably AMPINNERGY, AMP Undercarpet Cabling and the NM/Romex Connector System. He was passionate about these projects and worked to develop a global market for them with such companies as Best Buy, Knoll Furniture, Tandy/Radio Shack, Circuit City and many others. He loved a challenge and never backed down from any problem or obstacle. He was a mentor to many of his coworkers and some even touted they attended M.I.T. (Margo Institute of Technology).

Don was the most loyal friend anyone could ask for. He was compassionate, caring, fun-loving, daring, and always eager and honored to lend a helping hand. Don was abundant in his giving and truly lived the spirit "it is better to give than to receive." He exuded class and was a great inspiration to so many people. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone.

Don was the most devoted husband to Joyce for 30 beautiful years. They loved traveling the world and always took advantage of every opportunity that came their way. Cruising was one of their favorite vacations, but some other memorable vacations were to Australia, where he held a baby koala on their Outback Safari; Germany, where he nervously drove the Autobahn; France, where he and Joyce enjoyed the snowy view from the top of the Eiffel Tower; Hawaii, where they swam at Waikiki Beach; and England, where they became very close friends with Charles Dickens' great-grandson, Cedric Charles Dickens, and his wife, Elizabeth. In Rome they attended the weekly blessing from Pope John Paul II. He enjoyed NASCAR and drove a stock car at Lowes Motor Speedway twice with the Richard Petty Driving Experience (under a full moon no less). There were so many more trips most people could only dream of.

He will be sorely missed by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Steve Daukas, and the three joys of his life, granddaughters Mackenzie, Sydney and Cassie. They loved their "Poppy" and thought he was the coolest guy ever, who always stopped whatever he was doing just to spend time with them. He also leaves behind his beloved Shih Tzu, "Abigail". Don is also survived by his brother-in-law, Chuck McKibben, of Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Lawrence, his brother, Fred Lawrence and his sister, Jean McKibben.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening at George Brothers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church, 3600 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27410, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Doctors Heller, Burney, Mohammed, Adrena Johnson and all the staff at the Regional Cancer Center and Hospice of Greensboro.

Online condolences can be sent to George Brothers Funeral Service in Greensboro, NC.