Donald McPhee

Donald Edward McPhee, 95

Longtime Alanson resident Don McPhee, passed away early Thursday morning, February 11, 2016 at his home with his daughters by his side.Don is survived by his daughters, Sandy (Bill) Steffel, Nancy McWilliams, Barbara Poller and Kim (Rick) Koons; 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren, his dear friend, Clara McFall, and his special pet friends, Annie and Miggy. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years; Hazel Marie Jones-McPhee, whom he married on November 1, 1941 in Port Huron.  Also preceding Don were his brothers, Robert and Rex and his sister, Joan Rasmussen, his grandson, Brian Steffel and great grandson, Brandon Copes. 

Don was born on April 1, 1920 in Ypsilanti, the son of Ralph and Helen (Long) McPhee. His parents moved the family north, settling in Alanson where Don grew up.  He was a graduate of Alanson High School.  Like many other young men at the time, Don found initial employment with the Civilian Conservation Corps, he was stationed at Camp Wolverine.  He moved for a short time to Port Huron where he worked for the Mueller Brass Company, where as mentioned above he met and married the love of his life Hazel Jones.  The two were wed on November 1, 1941.  A few years later, Don and Hazel moved north to Alanson where they made a home and continued raising their family.  For a time Don worked for W.W. Fairbairn & Sons as well as for his father at the Gulf Station in Alanson.  Later Don went on to a career with the Department of Natural Resources in both the Fisheries and Parks divisions for a total of 33 years. 

He was a very active man who enjoyed the outdoors; fishing, building and flying remote control airplanes and even boat racing, were always on the list of things to do on the weekend.   Golf was another favorite pastime that he enjoyed with a number of close friends.  He was an active member of the Alanson community and volunteered his time by serving with both the Littlefield Township Fire Department and the Alanson Zoning Board.  Don's life will be remembered and celebrated with a memorial service on Monday, February 15, 2016 at Stone Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m.; Pastor Gary Mindel will officiate. Visitation will take place on Monday morning at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

His family will always remember a wonderful, warm man, who was at his best as a dad and grandpa.  He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.  Right up until his passing at the age of 95, he remained fun, fun loving and full of life.  He will be missed deeply by his family and his many dear friends.

Those wishing to honor his memory with a charitable contribution are asked by his family to consider Hospice of Little Traverse Bay or the Friendship Center of Emmet County.

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