Donald Sheridan

Donald Sheridan died peacefully in his sleep July 5, 2023. He left behind a lifetime of good memories, laughter and witticisms. Throughout his 87 years on this planet, he was a hod carrier for bricklayers, soldier, boxer, auctioneer, professor, farmer, author and poet, but if you were to ask him what he was, he would say, “I’m a husband and a father.”

His door was always open and there was always a cup of coffee and some stale cookies ready for anyone stopping by for a visit. He was a ruthless Scrabble player with a vast vocabulary that he wasn’t afraid to unleash. Only his wife, Jean, was able to defeat him and on those rare occasions, made him sulk for a week.

Those who knew Don, usually have a good quote that they can share. One which has stood out over the years is, “If you put all of your problems into a hat with everyone else’s problems, you would fight like Hell to get yours back.”

In his later years, it was, “Never pass up a bathroom break.”

Toward the end, when he knew time was short, he spent much time commenting on simple things that go overlooked by most.

“My God, has there ever been a more beautiful day?” Every meal was “the best he had ever tasted.” “I’ve never seen the grass THIS green! Have you?” “Life was a fun ride, but we all get off at some point.”

It was the small things that mattered. He had cracked life’s code and was enjoying its spoils. He did dying just as well as he did living and he did it all with a big grin on his face.

Enjoy a game of Scrabble with Jean.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 at the Afton Community Center.

Memorial Donations can be made to South Central Iowa Community Foundation (SCICF).