NIEMANN, Donald Thomas 81, of Seminole died September 10th, 2018. Don was born October 9, 1936 in Louisville, KY. He is survived by his loving wife, Devera Niemann and his children, Donald Niemann Jr. (Jenna), Penny Niemann (Dwayne), Barry Niemann (Kathy), Brent Niemann (Holly) and his brother Kenneth Niemann (Sara). He was a very proud PawPaw to his nine grandchildren: Justin (Chastanna), Jill (Sam), Amanda (Nick), Neely (Matt), Alexandra (Dan), Arielle (Ray), Barry Jr, Dylan and Isabella and his six great grandchildren: Piper, Cole, Henry, Penelope, Reid and Beckett. Don was preceded in death by his fur babies, Lucy and Ethel.
Don joined the Naval Reserves after graduating high school. He worked for Belknap Hardware and relocated to Winter Haven Florida in 1959. He continued working in retail management with Lerner’s Shop, JC Penney, and Maas Brothers. He retired from Prudential after 20 years working as a sales agent.
Don loved sports and played basketball at Southern High School, graduating in 1954.
He played fast pitch softball for the Clearwater Bombers and spent many years playing slow pitch softball, winning the National Senior Olympics Gold Medal in 1993. He was awarded the MVP award at the Disney Wide World of Sports Senior Softball Championship in 1997 and his team won the Senior Softball World Championships in 1998. Don was inducted in the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame on September 17, 1998, finally hanging up his glove in 2003.
During his retirement, Don enjoyed playing golf, shot two hole-in-ones in 2004, and enjoyed volunteering as a marshall at the Valspar Golf Championships. Don and Devera spent many days playing at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and when he wasn’t swinging his clubs, Don happily retrieved lost golf balls. He loved children and often visited Woodbridge Elementary to read to his granddaughter Jill’s students, often going dressed as Santa during the holidays. He loved woodworking and stayed busy designing and crafting new projects in his workshop.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 12pm to 4pm with a Celebration of Life beginning at 1pm at Garden Sanctuary 7950 131st Street Seminole, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association or locally at pawsrescuegroup.com.
Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st St. N.,
Seminole, FL33776\727-391-0121
