About These Stories
Introduction
Don shares why he began writing these memories and the joy he finds in preserving them for his family.
Read the storyFeatured Stories
Start here. Each story combines Don’s original words with family photographs, carefully restored images and clearly identified illustrations inspired by his memories.
Growing Up · Pike County
My First Home
A small farmhouse, a giant maple tree, six children, and the sounds and memories that made a childhood home.
Read the story
Growing Up · Age Seven
Northern Lights
A late-spring evening at the Mink farm becomes unforgettable when a stalled truck, a dark walk home and the Aurora Borealis converge.
Read the StoryDon’s Birthday Movie
A special birthday movie celebrating Don and his amazing life.
Don Singing
A special musical moment with Don.
Explore Don’s Stories
Choose a subject to jump directly to those stories.
A Life in Stories
A second way to explore the collection—following Don’s memories through time.
1930s–40sPike County childhood & farm life
1950sSchool, college & early adulthood
1960sCaterpillar, marriage & a growing family
1970sFamily adventures & career growth
1980s–90sLeadership, travel & changing seasons
Later YearsFamily, faith, reflection & remembering
About the Collection
In Don’s Own Words
This site preserves Don’s stories as a family memoir—his memories of childhood, family, work, travel, faith and the people and places that shaped his life.
Don’s words are presented as written. Photographs come from the family archive. Some photographs are carefully restored and colorized, with the historical originals preserved and available to view. Recreated scenes are identified as illustrations inspired by Don’s stories.