Donald Richard Cubberly, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, age 67, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2019 following a lengthy illness. He was born September 17, 1951 in Tecumseh, MI, the son of George and Thelma (Bryan) Cubberly. Don graduated from Chelsea High School in 1970 and then served in the US Army from January 1969-1972. Returning from the Army Don worked for Chrysler, GT Products and eventually Davco where he retired in 2002 as a Quality Control Inspector. Through the encouragement of her father, Don dated, and later married Lori (Salow) Cubberly on July 10, 1993. Don quickly fit in and became a welcome addition to the entire extended Salow family as well as stepping up at the time and completing family life for Lori and her young son.
Don or “Uncle Don” as he was known to many not only stepped up for Lori, but for anyone who knew him. He was a funny, kind, gentle and caring man who taught as he mentored. He helped anyone he could however he was able to at any given time being it sharing a recipe, fixing a tractor, simply offering a listening ear, giving one a place to have a good holiday meal and feel warmth and welcome of family or even giving a place to stay until one got back on their feet. Don was the perfect person as he was respected by everyone. He did not really get upset, but his opinions meant enough to those around him that they did not want to disappointment him and they wanted to do him proud. His family looked up to him and as one nephew said, “Uncle Don taught a lot of us how to be men.” Don taught many individuals how to be good, loving people. Don enjoyed most his family and friends and all of his hobbies and pastimes, especially later in life, catered to those he loved most, and he made sure to welcome his family and friends in those adventures.
Don put in a swimming pool for family and friends to enjoy, Don redid his basement with a fancy bar he built, dance floor, music and even added disco lights so weekends for all could be spent in “style”. Later Don had a barn that would become the weekend and sometimes nightly workplace and social gathering for many of his family and friends. It was in that barn where Don worked on some of his hobbies, created some of his treasures and fixed things or made things for others. Not only did he use the barn but allowed others to work there as well. If Don was not directly involved in the work going on, he could be seen smiling sitting backwards on his rolling stool helping others figure things out, pointing them in the direction of tools or cold sodas or just talking telling stories or teasing. Throughout the years Don enjoyed restoring tractors, doing tractor pulls, woodworking and making things, fishing, camping, driving his little tractor and homemade buggies in parades and events for children, participating in chili cookoffs, cooking for events and holidays, playing Santa Claus for family and others and in later years made BBQ smokers that allowed him and his brother and nephews to make food for his large family events and others just because he liked to see people enjoy the cooking and he liked to see people enjoy themselves. Probably most important to Don was an annual Memorial Day gathering he held for his family and friends with the annual BBQ and slip n’ slide for the kids. This event has been hosted by Don for nearly over twenty years and this year Don had his wish to essentially thank his family and friends in a touching little speech. We all realize we should be the thankful ones for having had “Uncle Don” in our lives.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gerald Armstrong, sister Valerie Davis and brother George Cubberly. He is survived by his wife of 26 years Lori (Salow) Cubberly, son Jason Cubberly, son James (Kristen) McNutt, daughter-in-law Jennifer Cubberly and three grandchildren who he adored Mary, Kaleb and Henry. He is also survived by sister Glenis Snead, Ron (Melissa) Cubberly, Michael (MaryAnn) Cubberly and sisters Joyce Barringer and Betty Armstrong. Also surviving are his two very special nephews Stephen Cubberly and Paul (Bubba) Bryant, Jr, his best friend and brother Howard Poley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors and coworkers who never left Don’s heart throughout time.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Don's life luncheon and a brief memorial tribute will take place on August 3, 2019 from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM, with the tribute at 3:00 PM at the Ann Arbor Moose Club #1253, 10160 Jackson Rd, Dexter, MI 48130. Per Don's request, all are welcome to come in casual attire.
Memorial donations may be made to the family in c/o Lori Cubberly, 8487 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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