Donald Ray Tickle

Donald Ray Tickle, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Don was born May 5, 1936, to Posie and Alma Newman Tickle of the Redbrush Community, Mt. Airy, NC. He graduated from White Plains High School, attended John Wesley Bible College, and Guilford College in Greensboro, NC.

Don dedicated his whole life to those who were less fortunate. His work included the Community Action Program in Stokes County, several years as the Director of the Head Start program in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany Counties. He also worked as a Group Home Manager for intellectual disabilities and at-risk kids. In 1980, he became a Recorded Minister of the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends.

After serving several meetings, he devoted some of the best years of his professional life working with students with special needs. He taught at Alamance Community College for over 25 years in what used to be the Compensatory Education Program, now called the ABLE Program. Don taught everything from academic skills to independent living skills. However, the most important thing students learned from Don was love and acceptance. These special students have never forgotten Don's dedication to them, and they love him to this day. His contributions and his memory at ACC will last a lifetime.

Don loved spending time with his family, working and enjoying the outside, reading, telling stories, and most of all, all kinds of music.

Other than his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Barbara White (Wade Deceased), Billy Tickle, and Joyce Williams (Stan). Survivors include Ann, his loving wife of 67 plus years, his son, Jeff Tickle, and daughter, Tamela Tickle, granddaughter, China Tickle, great grandson, Avett Ray Henderson, sisters, Glenda Coe(William, Deceased), Carol Smitherman(Michael), and so many special nieces and nephews, and friends.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to everyone who supported Don with love and care throughout the years. A special thank you to New Garden Friends Meeting and Caring Friends, who meant so much to Don and the family. Thanks also to the Lockwood Community in which he lived for almost 23 years.

"A Homegoing Service & Celebration" will be October 4, 2025, 3:00 pm, at New Garden Friends Meeting on New Garden Road in Greensboro NC. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to New Garden Friends Meeting Caring Friends in Don's memory.