Donald Joseph Querciagrossa

1944 - 2022

Donald Joseph Querciagrossa
Born: May 23, 1944
Died: December 21, 2022
Donald Joseph Querciagrossa, 78, lost his 3 year battle with cancer on December 21, 2022 at Mercy Hospital, OKC with family at his side. He bravely endured the pain, multiple tests and treatments saying, "whatever it takes!"
Don was born May 23, 1944 to Arthur (Tammy) and Clara Sanderford Querciagrossa in Goldsboro, NC, where his father was stationed. When WW 2 ended, the family moved to LaSalle, IL where he grew up. He graduated from LaSalle Peru high school in 1962, then went on to graduate with a business/transportation degree from the University of Tennessee in 1967.
Shortly after graduation he met Jean Baker from Mendota, IL. They married March 9, 1968 in Chicago.
Don went on to a long career in the trucking industry, managing equipment and maintenance for dry van, refrigerated, armored and tank trucks. He was blessed to have his vocation and avocation be one and the same. Growing up, his favorite toys were trucks, painting them and repainting them whatever color he decided his fleet should be. He'd find leftover cement at local construction sites and make roads among the bushes by his home.
He also became interested in cameras by his teens. With a brother, he made a darkroom in their basement. Of course, he began taking pictures of trucks! In college he took photos for the school newspaper. During their entire marriage, whenever he had a chance, he and Jean made many side trips for him to get photos of trucks and terminals. A lot of those roads were bumpy! He shared his pictures with many other 'truckies' he'd met and had a sizable group of online followers. He was one of the most knowledgeable individuals of the trucking industry that spanned over 50 years, including putting together a considerable history of every truck line he could find, which he happily shared with those 'truckies'. Jean and the boys were amazed that there actually were others with his same passion. He also made several trips to Germany for the semiannual International Truck Show with his friend from Holland.
He retired from Groendyke Transport, Enid, OK in 2015 after over 30 years as their Director of Maintenance. After retirement he enjoyed traveling, watching the Thunder, old movies and old music, and his photography. He kept an active correspondence with his 'truckies', and of course, taking more pictures of trucks. He never shared or posted a picture before he 'tweaked' it to his liking. He was a perfectionist about his hobby.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, his daughter in-law, Kim, all of his aunts and uncles, and a sister in-law, Janet. Left to mourn him are his wife of 54 years, Jean, their 2 sons, David of Phoenix, AZ, Dan and husband Chris of North Plains, OR, and grandson Lucas of Phoenix. Also his brother Ted (Jan) of Peoria, Az, Jerry (Marilyn) of Green Valley, AZ, and his sister Judy (Jay) Geldmacher of Scottsdale, AZ, and several nieces and nephews. and sisters in-law, Judith Baker (Roy Marsden) of Cambridge, WI, Joyce (Bill) Kessinger of Mendota, IL, and Jill Fiorenza of S Beloit, IL, brother in-law Dr Jim (Agnes) Baker of Superior, CO, and Jean's nieces and nephews.
He also has a surrogate family, the Makanyas of Edmond.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm, January 7th at the chapel of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 900 S Littler Ave, Edmond, Ok.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Willow Pregnancy Center, 4701 S Western Ave, OKC 73109.