Donald E. Cline

Donald E. Cline

Phoenix - Donald E. Cline went to sleep peacefully on March 3, 2018 and woke up in Heaven, where he was surely greeted by his wife of 63 years, Frances, who awaited his arrival for nearly 11 years. Don Cline was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma on April 6, 1926. He left home at 16 to seek his fortune as a bell captain in Tulsa, served in the United States Army in Germany during World War II, was honorably discharged in 1946, then rejoined his wife and young daughter and moved to Colorado. In 1950, Don joined Mountain Bell in Colorado where he, starting as a pay phone coin collector, held management positions in sales, public relations, advertising, and operations. During the time in Colorado, Don and Frances were blessed with the arrival of two sons to make a family of five. In 1973, Don arrived in Arizona as Mountain Bell's Assistant Vice President for External Affairs, serving in that position until 1982 when he was named Arizona Vice President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in June of 1987. In February of 1990, after his retirement from Mountain Bell, Don accepted a gubernatorial appointment from his life-long friend, Rose Mofford, as Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce. His most recent position was as a founder and Chairman of the Board of Republic BankAZ. Don Cline was a Christian man. Over the years, he served the Lutheran Church in several leadership roles and taught Sunday School for many years. In addition to his dedication to God and his church, he was involved in a plethora of civic and business affiliations. To name a few, he served on the Governor's Commission on Reform of the Welfare System in Arizona, was a member of the Commission on Cost Efficiency in State Government (Mini-Grace), and led the Arizona Chamber of Commerce as chairman. He also was the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Standard Register/PING LPGA tournament, president of the Boys Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, and served as the general chairman of the 1988 Citizens Bond Committee. Other memberships included ASU council of 100, Phoenix 40, life membership in the Fiesta Bowl Committee, and President of the Board of Governors of Moon Valley Country Club. He was honored with the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith's Torch of Liberty Award, the Arizona Newspaper Association's Billy Goat Award, was named Citizen of the Year by the Phoenix Board of Realtors, and designated 1986 Man of the Year by the Phoenix Advertising Club for outstanding service to the community. Dearly loved by his family and friends, Don inspired all with whom he came into contact by his honesty, integrity, and his calm, fair, and firm leadership. He was described by many as "the best man I have ever known." As for you aspiring golfers, especially "lefties," he shot his age at 75 and then again at 80! Don is survived by his sister Gloria Kerr from Tucson; daughter Sharon Schmidt (Winston) from Peoria, AZ; son Clayton Cline (Linda) from Phoenix; son Curtis Cline (Pamela) from Denver; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Visitation is open to all at 5-8pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix. Interment with Military Honors will take place on Wednesday, March 14th at 10am at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix. A Memorial Service will be held at 1pm on March 14th at All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. 7th Street, Phoenix. A reception for family and friends will follow the Service at Moon Valley Country Club, 151 W. Moon Valley Dr., Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to a memorial fund in memory of Donald E. Cline, which annually benefits several Phoenix Valley charitable organizations. Please make checks payable to InFaith Community Foundation and send to 625 4th Ave. S., Ste. 1500, Minneapolis MN 55415, with "The Donald E. Cline Fund" written in the note portion of the check. Visit http://www.hansenmortuary.com for condolences.