Donald Lee Sundquist

1926 - 2016

DON SUNDQUIST 1926 ~ 2016 Don Sundquist is a name like no other, and fitting as he was an individual like no other. His personality was larger than life and he touched the lives of everyone he encountered. He loved and lived beyond measure and did it all with a positive attitude. We say goodbye to one of the most amazing, smart, quick witted, unique, loving, supportive, fun, special humans anyone could say they had the privilege to know. His family meant everything to him. Donald Lee Sundquist was born on January 2, 1926 and played his final hand of cribbage on August 6th, 2016. His love for his family was undeniable and was followed by his love for the horses, his dog and the game of cribbage. Don was the only child born to Ernie & Madge Sundquist. Don lived in Eureka most of his life and attended Eureka High School. In 1943 at the age of 17, Don enlisted in the Navy. During his tenure he obtained the rank of II Class Pharmacy Mate. After the completion of his service, Don returned to Eureka and worked for the Fuller Paint company. In 1953 Don opened up Sundquist's Paint Store in Henderson Center, he later opened up a second store in Arcata. Don ran the store for several decades until his retirement in 1987. The store remained in the family until 1997. Don could often be found mowing his lawn dressed in white short shorts and a black fish net tank top, this was a true testament to his love of life. In his free time Don loved to go fishing, fly kites, build birdhouses, bake sweets & play cribbage. Don had his first of two 28 hands in cribbage in 2004 while playing cards with Jim Prichard. Don was honored to participate in the military honor flight for WWII Veterans on May 15th, 2011 where he visited the WWII Arlington's Veteran's memorial & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington DC. It was during this trip where Don got re-acquainted with a former high school classmate, Jack Foster. Don leaves behind his loving daughter Trudy Olson who cared for him until his passing, and his spirited son Terry Sundquist, both of Eureka; his grandson Matthew & wife Jenna and their sons; Logan & Chance all of Eureka, his granddaughter Kristin & husband Terence and their daughters; Genesis & Trinity of American Canyon, his grandsons Lane Sundquist of Arcata & Andrew Sundquist, Sargent, USMC, of Beaverton, Oregon, his dog Missy as well as countless other extended family and friends. The family celebrated his life on August 26th, 2016 at the Ferndale Fairgrounds race track, a place where Don had box seats for nearly 50 years, he even owned a race horse for a few years. These seats still remain in the family as Fred Sundquist still continues the tradition. It was on this day that Don's longtime pal, Eli Jurkovich, picked the winning trifecta for his dedicated race. Special thanks to Jenna Olson, Eric Olson, Mary Brittingham & The McBeth Family for their constant love and support thru this journey. Words cannot describe our gratitude. His legacy lives in all of us in some special way. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com