Donald Elmore Brutkiewicz passed away peacefully on July 25, 2019 after a brief illness at the age of 89. He was predeceased by his parents, Clement Rousseau and Lela Booth Brutkiewicz, his brother, Clement Booth Brutkiewicz, and his beloved wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Cook Brutkiewicz. He is survived by his sons: Donald Elmore Brutkiewicz Jr., Kenneth Cook Brutkiewicz (Sarah), William Booth Brutkiewicz (Ann), John Clement Brutkiewicz (Roxanna), and Robert Carl Brutkiewicz (Barbara); his grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth Holland (Michael), Emily Taylor Arendall (J), Kenneth Cook Brutkiewicz Jr., Elizabeth Claire Brutkiewicz, Marlin Slater Brutkiewicz, John Clement Brutkiewicz Jr., Rose Ann Brutkiewicz, Robert Hardy Brutkiewicz, Philip Carl Brutkiewicz, and Thomas Clement Brutkiewicz, and his great-grandchildren: Ellen, Susan, and Katherine Arendall and Joseph and Henry Holland.
Don was born in Mobile on January 26, 1930. At age 5, his family moved to Gulfport (where he enjoyed an idyllic childhood) and returned to Mobile his senior year finishing at Murphy High School. He received both his undergraduate degree in history and law degree from the University of Alabama. It was there that he met Elizabeth, a co-ed from Eufaula, at an Alabama-Auburn game and married on May 29, 1952.
He served in the US Air Force as a Judge Advocate General assigned to a post in Morocco. In 1956, he returned to Mobile to practice law and was appointed Assistant District Attorney by his uncle, Carl Booth. In 1970, he started his own criminal law practice and later was joined by his sons, Skip and John. In his 65 years of practice, he participated in more than 1000 criminal jury trials and more than 3000 cases making him one of the most active attorneys in Mobile since the 1950’s. He was a fixture at the courthouse, affectionately known as “Daddy Don” and “Downtown Don.”
Don was quite a colorful and unorthodox character, renowned storyteller and story maker. He was also eternally restless; in his prime, his Sunday ritual was to awaken at 4:00 a.m., read the newspaper and then history books and magazines, usher at early church, singles tennis at Mirror Lake Racquet Club, followed by dove or quail hunting, home in time for Gran-Gran’s Sunday dinner with often more than 20 family members, watch the evening news and to bed by 7 p.m. Elizabeth, his secretary and bookkeeper, would say: “It’s hard being married to a crazy man, but I was never bored.”
Don was a lifelong member of Christ Church Cathedral and the Democratic Party. He was also an honorary member of the Gulfport Class of 1947, attending monthly gatherings until recently; his affinity for Mississippians matched that of Mobilians. He loved his family and worked hard and sacrificed to provide them with the best possible education. He loved his hometown and encouraged all of his sons to return here; they did. In his latter years, he enjoyed the huge family gatherings at local eateries.
The family would like to thank his dedicated caregivers, especially Kenyetta Gilmore (Little Eufaula) and Vatrinka White (Big Baby). Memorials may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or your favorite charity. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 31st at Christ Church Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on July 30th at Pine Crest Cemetery.
