Donovan Edward Enos

Our father, Donovan (Don) Edward Enos, passed away peacefully the evening of March 4th, 2026 surrounded by family after final goodbyes. He was just a few months shy of his 102nd birthday. A proud member of the Greatest Generation, Don lived a life marked by service, integrity, and devotion to family. His beloved wife, Maxine, preceded him in death in 2014.

He is survived by his five children: Judy Poike (Bob) of Livonia; Amy Booms (Rich) of Northville; Gene Enos (Michelle) of Rochester, MN; Kari Longacre (Bill) of Ann Arbor; and Eric Enos (Angie) of Oliver Springs, TN. He also leaves eight grandchildren—Lyndsay Paruch (Matt), Kristin McIntosh, Brennan Booms, Richard Booms Jr. (Kathleen), Courtney Enos, Chelsea Enos, Katelynn Enos, and Edward Enos—and five great-grandchildren.

Don was born in Grand Rapids in 1924 to Otis and Hettie Enos. As his father advanced through Michigan Bell Telephone as a journeyman engineer, the Enos family relocated several times—to Saginaw and Royal Oak—before returning to Grand Rapids, where Don graduated from high school. The family spent summers at a nearby lake and at a family fishing cabin on the Au Sable River, where the boys and their father fly-fished together.

Don’s life reflected service, hard work, and responsibility. A proud member of the Greatest Generation, he served as a P-47 fighter pilot in World War II, flying 45 missions and earning the Purple Heart after being shot down in Germany near the end of the war. Other honors included the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) with four oak leaf clusters and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. (His brother, Gene Charles Enos, was declared MIA following a bridge collapse in Remagen, Germany, in 1945.) After the war, Don graduated from Michigan State University as a civil engineer.

Shortly after completing his degree, Don and a schoolmate traveled to Alaska, where they found work blazing trails for the Alaskan Highway. He later spent nearly four decades as a construction engineer with Barton Malow, working primarily on healthcare projects across Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Tennessee. Don and Maxine were generous hosts wherever they lived; Maxine was a wonderful cook who loved to entertain.

Dad was known for his easygoing nature—tempered by a healthy streak of stubbornness—and for his dry wit and sense of humor, which endured even under difficult circumstances. He approached life with discipline, stoicism, and determination, and was respected for his work ethic and commitment to excellence.

He loved discussing current events, construction, and sports with anyone willing to engage. Don cherished his family, his furry “grandchildren,” Spartan basketball and football, and identifying birds outside the kitchen window. He loved simple pleasures and was “popcornaholic,” favoring cherry pie and he never met a glass of red wine he didn’t like.

Don remained physically active well into his nineties. During the ten years he lived with Amy and Rich Booms, he walked countless miles along their long driveway, picking up stray sticks and watching for deer and other wildlife. An avid reader throughout his life, he subscribed to National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and his professional journal (Engineering News-Record) until just a few years ago. In his later years, he became an enthusiastic and accomplished puzzle partner with his granddaughter-in-law, Kathleen Booms.

The staff at the memory care facility where he lived during his final two years adored and spoiled him. He was easy to love, and he will be deeply missed.

Donovan and Maxine will be laid to rest together on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 11:00am at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. His service to our country will be celebrated with honors rendered by the United States Air Force Funeral Honors Team.

Those wishing to honor Don’s love of nature may consider a donation to the Michigan Humane Society or the Sierra Club.