Donald L. Ezell

Donald Lamar Ezell was born the 4th of 8 children to Albert and Nona Ezell in Slocumb, Alabama on July 16, 1950. The family moved to Columbus when Donald was a young child. He grew up in the area, graduating from Jordan High School, and subsequently joining the United States Navy to serve his country during the Vietnam War. After returning to Columbus, he searched and found the love of his life, Patricia Huckelba Ezell. They married and he gained a daughter, Theresa Gore Sturges. They later added another daughter, Odona Ezell-Whiddon (Matt Whiddon). Donald's siblings include Grace Davis (Homer), Mildred Davis, David Ezell (Elsie), Roger Ezell, Paul Ezell, George Ezell, and John Ezell(Barbara). The joys of his life were his grandsons, Cayden Sturges, Jonah Whiddon, Micah Whiddon, and Levi Whiddon.

At the age of 16, Donald saved his money earned from odd jobs and walked from Nankipooh to Downtown Columbus and purchased a guitar and a book and taught himself to play. Over the next several years, he honed his skills to become a great guitarist and lead vocalist. For many years after returning to Columbus, he played in bands and clubs pursuing a music career while also going to school. He was eventually offered a record contract but after the first album expectations changed and he ended the contract. For many years he played with his family members, and in church, and instilled a love of music in his children and grandchildren. Through the years he taught guitar, learned to play mandolin, and tuned pianos. His music can be found on SingSnap, Fandalism, and YouTube.

Donald believed in helping others whenever possible. When he and Pat married, he also had a hand in helping raise her younger brother (David Huckelba) and sister (Faye Huckelba Feasel) who were still at home. Donald didn’t sit still much – often having multiple projects going on at one time. And when he wasn’t working, he enjoyed bowling, coaching softball, and being outdoors. Through the years, he taught his daughters to change the oil, check the fluids, and change a tire on a car. He was an avid fisherman and loved being on the water. He was also an adept handyman. D (as he was called by his grandboys) built catapults with his oldest grandson after he saw an episode of Phineas & Ferb. He also had an endless supply of batteries for every toy his grandboys brought over, and would often send them home with extra batteries for later. To his girls and his grandboys, he could fix anything he decided to fix.

Donald worked most of his life as an Office Equipment Technician, but upon retiring in 2013, he sought a position driving a school bus for Harris County Board of Education. He loved driving the bus and loved his children. His kids affectionately referred to him as Mr. Don or “Captain D”. He served faithfully and always on time until he fell ill with Mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure from time served in the US Navy.

He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, for to know him was to love him. But we have the great assurance of Heaven, as he was an avid believer in Jesus Christ. He loved God and his family and we look forward to seeing him again. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The family will receive visitors beginning Monday afternoon, January 11 at Striffler-Hamby. An official visitation will be held Tuesday, January 12 from 6-8pm. The funeral service will be held at University Avenue Assembly of God on Wednesday, January 13 at 2pm, with graveside service to follow. Striffler-Hamby is entrusted with the arrangements. Funeral services will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/StrifflerHamby/