Donald Machell Thompson

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Donald Machell Thompson on October 23, 2025, in Kelowna, British Columbia, at 93 years of age. A graveside service will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Friday, October 31, at 11 am.

Don was born on October 21, 1932, in Moosomin, Saskatchewan. Growing up during the Great Depression, he was the youngest of four boys in a farming family. With limited resources, Don learned the importance of hard work, creativity and honesty, always keeping a positive attitude and never giving up.

Don met Aldoris in Regina and they married in 1966. He worked at a farm machinery parts warehouse (New Holland) from 1965 until it closed in 1988. He raised his family in Regina until he retired and they relocated to Kelowna in 1989. Moving to the Okanagan Valley was their dream come true.

In Kelowna, Don’s woodworking hobby blossomed. He started selling items at Kelowna Crafters Market, and over the years, it grew as he spent countless hours in his basement shop creating beautiful cutting boards, salad bowls and other home items. He loved his woodwork and often thought about how his years at the market had positively changed his life.

Don was a humble man with a quiet spirituality. He loved working with his hands and could fix almost anything. He spent his days in his workshop, in the garden and watching his favourite sports on TV (Go Riders!).

Above all, Don loved his family—his late wife Aldoris and his two kids, Carla and Brian.

In Don’s final days, a nurse at hospice said he was “the most grateful man I’ve ever met.” He kept telling everyone how much they mattered and how much he appreciated them, over and over again.

One of Don’s last wishes was to personally thank all his close friends and neighbours who were there for him in his final years, especially Bernice, Neil, Tina, Tara, Tom, Jeff, Zedanka, Terryn, Linda, Wendy and Grant. Thank you for all that you did for Don.

One of his last words was, “God doesn’t make duplicates.” Indeed, Don was a one-of-a-kind, very special man. We will miss him dearly.

Donations in his memory are gratefully accepted at BC Cancer Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com.