Donald Morton Joyce Sr.

Donald Morton Joyce, 92, passed away on February 4, 2026, at Abbotswood's memory care facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Dunn Joyce. Don is survived by his son Donald Morton Joyce, Jr. (Donna) of Greensboro and daughter Marie Davara "Dee" Joyce of San Francisco; their mother and former wife Sherry Noble Joyce; and grandsons Donald M. Joyce lll, Dillon Joyce (Lady Sanchez) and Benjamin Joyce.

A Wilmington native, Don attended the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia before earning a civil engineering degree from North Carolina State University. He went on to be certified as a Professional Engineer with his P.E. license. Upon graduation, Don served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force for two years in Texas before returning to his beloved home state.

Don first worked as a manager at P. Lorillard's Greensboro plant, then part of the country's oldest continuously operating tobacco company. While serving on a joint advisory committee for the Greensboro Country Club / Carlson Farms merger, he was invited to join the executive team at Pomona Pipe. A venerable family business founded in 1884, Pomona closed their historic kilns in 1975. Don acquired Pomona's legacy name and launched his own successful company, based in the industrial park that was redeveloped from the original terra cotta manufacturing site.

"You either work to live. Or live to work." And Don definitely embodied the latter. He was passionate about his business, his customers and their engineering projects. At the age of 82, he fully retired and passed Pomona's presidency on to his son Don, Jr.

Yet Don had always found room for other passions as well. His Scottish-born mother was a music teacher and symphony violinist, and he loved to relax by playing R & B classics on the piano. His extensive CD collection ranged from jazz greats like Dave Brubeck to rock's Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Don also developed a passion for fine wines. He was president of Greensboro's Bacchus Club for several years, where he also forged many cherished friendships.

And after growing up on the North Carolina coast, Don was perhaps happiest at one of the state's beautiful beaches. He was an avid saltwater fisherman who spent many a fall season in his boat trolling the waters off Figure Eight Island.

During the last eighteen months of his life, Don lived at The Elms memory care facility on the Abbotswood campus. His family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Director Mariah Griffin and her exceptional staff for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's honor to the Abbotswood Employee Appreciation Fund (AEAF), 3504 Flint St., Greensboro, NC 27405, Attn: Brittany Catoe.

Hanes Lineberry is assisting the Joyce family with arrangements. A private graveside will be held on Tuesday, February 17th. Don's family will host a reception to honor him on Saturday, May 9th from 2 to 4pm at the Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC.