Don was born on October 29, 1952, in Milwaukee, WI to Donald and Verlene (Parent) Waldron. He was raised in East Lansing with his sisters Meg, Jill and Ann, and it is where he called home. As a young man, he served as a Radio Operator in the U.S. Army in U.S. Forces-Europe in Stuttgart, Germany. After receiving an Honorable discharge from the Army, Don returned home to East Lansing, where he met his wife, Lesley Ann Huisgen. He attended Michigan State University and went on to study law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. On September 30, 1978, he married Lesley, the light and love of his life. They raised two daughters, Lindsey and Allison, and one son, Blake. He was father-in-law to Adam, Amanda and Vahid, and was the adored grandfather of Hayley, Averey, Adelyn, Elias and Jack.
Don was known for his quick wit, his easy smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. He was a friend to all and was always there to lend a hand. Words fail to adequately express the profound impact that he has had on others throughout his life.
In his professional life, Don practiced law for more than 35 years and specialized in the field of Workers’ Compensation litigation. Throughout his career he worked tirelessly to help injured workers and genuinely cared about helping his clients through difficult times. He retired as a partner with the law firm Rappaport, Pollok, Farrell and Waldron in 2019.
In his personal life, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Throughout the years, he was always attentive and engaged. He was present at every football game, basketball game, gymnastics meet, choir concert and any other event that his kids participated in. As they grew up, he could always be counted on to pick up the phone and have a conversation and lend an ear, no matter the circumstances. If one was present during a special occasion, they might have even heard one of his poems.
In his free time, Don could typically be found on a golf course or watching a game. He was a particularly dedicated Michigan State University fan. As a season ticket holder for years, he infrequently missed a game at Spartan Stadium or the Breslin Center. He also loved to travel and enjoyed little more than sitting on the beach with a book and a cold beverage. In recent years, he had been learning to play guitar and never missed an opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren.
Don will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Due to COVID19 restrictions, a service will be limited to immediate family; however, the family encourages everyone to get together in small groups to raise a glass and celebrate the life of Don Waldron Jr. As a tribute to Don, and because of his devotion to MSU, the family will be planting a tree on the campus of Michigan State University. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the Don Waldron Jr. Memorial Tree Fund. Instructions on how to make a donation can be found at: www.DonWaldronJr.com. The family also asks that fond memories and photos of Don be shared on this website.
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