My memories of 'Uncle' Don and 'Aunt' Dorene are many, although the sequencing of them may be off in this stream of consciousness.

 I think the most important memory is when I first asked my parents who was related to who?  As a very young kid I was trying to understand who was my mom's or dad's brother or sister.  My mom explained Don and Dorene were not only their best friends, but were my (and my brother Grant's) Godparents, and that we were to refer to them as 'Aunt' and 'Uncle' out of respect.  My mom went on to explain if anything happened to her and dad, we would be taken care of (and go live with) Uncle Don and Aunt Dorene...'WOW, I thought!'  From this point on, I looked at all our visits and gatherings with the eye of the possibility I might someday be living with the Plechaty's.

Uncle Don was a big presence.  He sometimes scared me.  He had these magical toes that could pinch you.  And, I mean pinch you hard!  He would grab me with those toes and I couldn't tell if I was in trouble and being punished, or if he establishing his position and making a point that he had special powers, and I was to be attentive and respectful.  

As a little kid visiting the Plechaty's in Agoura or Westlake, Uncle Don seemed to know all about Hollywood, music, entertainment.  Whether it was analyzing why Jimi Hendrix died; whether it was assessing the merits of Monday Monday and other musicals; or whether it was going to the Opening of Star Wars, and telling my mom and dad (and me in the background always listening to the adult conversations) that 'it was the most spectacular and innovative movie ever made.'  All of this made me think that Uncle Don was connected to the entertainment industry, and when we went to LA to visit, I knew I was going to get the scoop on Hollywood.

In talking with Grant the other day, he pointed out a great memory that I'll paraphrase: 'Uncle Don made Dad laugh.  And, Dad didn't laugh that much.'  I can see my Dad laughing, and what a blessing.


Don and I worked at Western Airlines together for several years. As my wife would say he taught me how to stop  and smell the roses - stopping off in Santa Monica and watching the sun rise before going into work. We enjoyed doing Chili Cookoff together and the laughs we had together. His sense of humor was one of a kind. Don was one of the nicest, kindest individuals you want to meet. He had a way of making everyone feel comfortable and valued. Don was a very important person in my life and I valued his friendship. We will certainly miss him.


Grandpa Don was a smart and funny man. I remember all his antiques especially his phones we used to play with as a child. He was a very good cook and made lots of delicious meals when we would visit. I remember his house in Thousand Oaks where we would swim but I mostly remember the big house in Littleton, CO.  All the space and decor are stuck in my head. I think there was a dog statue somewhere and boy did Grandpa like his evening drinks at his bar.  We are Bronco fans because of Grandpa. It was November 1997 and we went to Colorado for Thanksgiving with Bryan and his family. That was the trip we went to our first Bronco game and made a deal that we would continue that as a tradition every year. Sadly Bryan passed a month later and we haven’t gone every year but we still are huge fans. 
Grandpa always used his index finger to give our elbows a little tingle and he thought is was quite funny. 
Grandpa, you will be missed greatly and always in my thoughts. Say hi to Bryan up there!  I love you!  

   I am one of Don’s Grandaugbters. A lot of my memories are from my younger years as I unfortunately didn’t get to travel to Colorado very often. 
   I remember Grandpa and Grandma’s homes in Westlake and Danville. I can remember the floor plans and rooms like it was yesterday. From the movie collection Grandpa had, their birds Tom and Jerry, eating my favorite C&W Post cereal, the restaurant Fat Fannies of America, and his amazing train collection. 
   After they moved to CO, my family would take an annual driving trip from CA in our family van to visit  G & G. The basement is where we got to hang out. We loved it down there. And Grandpas cooking, oh I remember we always had delicious home cooked meals.  We would play with Grandpas phone booth telephones (one of which I have now in my home), our real cash register and toys galore all of which were not your typical kid toys. More antiques that Grandpa collected for my 4 siblings and I to play with. 
   Watch out for the knuckle to the elbow moves that Grandpa would quickly sneak in when your head was turned. Not necessarily to me, but to my brothers. It always got us laughing. 
   I consider myself lucky having Grandpa in my life for so long.  He created such a great life for Grandma, my Mom, and Aunt D.  The memories of the days and weeks at a time of when I would visit creates a smile of Grandpa that will last a lifetime. I can still hear my family doing their rendition of his name, Don Plech, Plech, Plechaty. 


There has never been a time when Don and Doreen were not a part of our family's life.  My mom Margaret was Doreen's good friend in high school and my dad Les knew Don.  So that led to a blind date and my parents' wedding in August 1949.  They continued their friendship through the years and were at each other's 50th Anniversary celebrations.  Don and Doreen, thank you for the years of love.

I was always so impressed with the loving bond Don and Dorene had for each other.  Don took care of Dorene and Dorene took care of Don.  They were such a team and committed to each other on so many levels. Don's various interests made it interesting to talk with him about anything and hear his thoughts on how the world could be better.
They showed us how to make a marriage work for nearly 70 years. They were committed to each other and what they could bring to a lasting marriage. I will miss his voice, his smile, his kindness.

I loved Don Plecaty, from doing chile cookoffs with him, playing hand and foot, to him sharing his receipes with me.  Judy and I loved being with the Plecatys because they made us feel loved, cared for, and they made us laugh.  I remember he and I went shopping with the women at a mall where they dropped he and I off at a bar first.  We later would meet  up with them at a designated store.  He and I were laughing as we walked through the doors.  A sales clerk remarked to the women, "Boy, you can sure tell they're father and son!"  I thought Doreen and Judy would die laughing.  After they told us what had been said, Don turned to me and said, "Yes you are the son I never wanted".  Now he and Judy can play hand and foot together.  I shall miss him.  I love you Doreen.    I'm sorry I haven't called more.   Ken

Dad, I am so going to miss our talks, your  opinions. I remember we did not watch TV’s on weekend we would listen to music, we would go to Broadway shows. Your motto for Denise and I was experience  as much as you can at least once.  This picture was also a first.. the first time I ever saw you dance and then you danced with me.  Thank you Dad for so many experience.  Love and miss you,  Love Deb

Having spent little time in my own 7th decade of life, imagining having been married to the same person for 70 years is such a statement of commitment to his family and those he loved.  I feel fortunate to have had Don as a father-in-law

Dad, each day I still hear your hearty laugh, and also your  snide "I have done something sneaky" laugh in my heart.  I will miss that and hope I can hold onto it for a long time.  It helps to know you are at peace, out of pain and playing with Bryan again.  Love Denise

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Donald Alfred Plechaty

9 octobre 1929 – 13 mars 2019

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Chapel Hill

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