Donald William Jocelyn

Donald William Jocelyn passed into Heaven on Sunday evening, May 30, 2021, in the loving arms of his wife, Carol, at their home due to the end stage renal disease. He had been battling several serious medical issues including prostate cancer for the past ten years. He fought a mighty fight, never losing his faith in the Lord, with Carol giving him her loving care all along the way. 

 

Donald William Jocelyn was born in Astoria, Oregon on January 8, 1938, to Pansy and William Jocelyn. They lived in Astoria on a dairy farm until Don was 12 years old. During those 12 years Don was active in 4-H winning many prize ribbons which he kept over many years.  The family sold out and moved to Eugene, Oregon again operating another dairy farm until he graduated from high school in 1957. He enlisted in the Navy in 1958 and served on an ammunition ship until his honorable discharge in 1960. Don married the first time in 1962, which produced a daughter, Tina , in 1963, and a son, Daniel (D.J.) , in 1973, they divorced in 1980. 

 

Don met Carol in 1981 at the mill he was working at in La Pine. Carol was working with her dad Dan, cutting and packing poles into the mill. Her dad and the friends Don was living with were determined to get them together! And..they were married in Reno, Nevada, in a snow storm on April 2, 1982! During the 39 years they were married, together they raised Carol’s two sons Michael, and Dan as well as D.J. our erfectly blended family..! Just 3 years apart and they all adore their dad! 

 

Don was a very talented welder and fabricator. He worked for many years at LewCo Mfg. in Alfalfa building hay handlers which were shipped all over the world. When his boss decided to sell the business to an outfit in Salem, Don started his at home business building the parts for the new company! He did very well until his health started to fail in 2011 when he was in and out of the hospital for six and a half months with sepsis. 

 

Don and Carol had many “adventures” together, most were by accident. They would, every year, for their anniversary, plan to go somewhere new. They enjoyed historical areas like Baker City, Sumpter, and talking with the locals. Virginia City, Nv was especially interesting to Don. I think he could actually picture himself living in that era! 

 

Don made many friends everywhere he went as well as kept in touch with Friends he had since grade school. His smile could light up a room and his blue eyes could pierce your heart.

 

He is survived by his loving wife Carol, daughter and three sons,  Tina Jocelyn (Allen),  D.J. Jocelyn( Jenifer), Michael Byers(Michelle), and  Dan Mika (Jaime) in addition to 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

 

He may now be gone from this earth, but for all who knew him, and those who love him, we know we will soon be reunited and together, walk with the angels of God...

 

The celebration of life will be on June 26th at 11am, Madras Church of Christ 412 SW 1st Street, Madras, OR 97741 as a potluck to follow.