Donald Frederick Colton

Donald Colton, 78, beloved son, husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away February 4, 2023 in Reno, Nevada. Don was born in Columbus, Ohio to Frederick and Elizabeth Colton. His family moved to Long Beach, California in 1956. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach and attended Long Beach City College. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1964 and was a Vietnam veteran, having served as a radar repairman in Chu Lai. After an honorable military discharge, Don discovered his love of landscaping as a golf course groundskeeper and eventually became Superintendent of golf courses in Incline Village, Nevada and Truckee, California. Some of his most memorable moments were coaching his son's youth basketball and football teams. Don loved the outdoors, whether it was golf course maintenance, camping, fishing the Truckee River, hiking, or gardening in his beautiful yards he created. He could regularly be found hiking Peavine Peak with his beloved dogs. Don will be remembered for his love of family, including years of caregiving, his generosity, and his sense of humor and contagious laugh. Don was preceded in death by his father, Frederick Colton; mother, Elizabeth Colton; and wife, Toni Colton, with whom he was an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Reno. Don is survived by his beloved son, Paul Colton, of Reno; Paul's mother and Don's longtime supportive friend, Jackie Colton; brother Stephen Colton (Stephanie) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; sister Anita King (Charlie) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; sister Julie Fulwiler (Rey) of Edgewood, New Mexico; numerous nieces and nephews; and dear friend Kimiko Crouse.