Donald William Jamieson Sr., 94, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on February 18, 2026, with his children by his side. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. The youngest of three brothers, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Donald was born in 1931 in Buffalo, New York, to Joseph L. and Margaret Jamieson. He attended Buffalo Technical High School, where he was a member of the crew team. He later graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in Engineering. It was there that he met the love of his life, Cristina — the charming upperclassman who offered to help her navigate freshman registration day.

During his college years, Donald’s adventurous spirit was already evident. One summer, he and a few friends transported a car cross-country to California, then flew to Hawaii, where they worked on a friend’s family pineapple plantation. He also proudly served in the National Guard in the Niagara Falls area and in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

After college, Donald began his career with Union Carbide in Niagara Falls. In 1966, he was transferred to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, where he served as plant manager helping manufacture rocket components for NASA’s first lunar landing mission — a point of great pride for him and his family.

In 1970, he moved his family to New Jersey to partner with his older brother Joseph in launching a magnetic tape manufacturing company during the height of the 8-track and cassette era. Those years were filled with both joyful family reunions and challenging economic times. The family weathered business hardships and the difficult economic climate of the late 1970s together — always anchored by resilience and faith in one another.

In 1978, Donald joined Boeing Computer Services in Morristown, New Jersey, and later transferred to Fairfax, Virginia, where he worked as a facility manager on the Space Station Project. His engineering mind and steady leadership served him well throughout his career.

Donald and Cristina built a life centered on generosity. Their home was always open — to friends, to family, to animals, and sometimes to complete strangers. They volunteered with a Down Syndrome foundation helping children learn to swim. On one occasion, Donald encountered five young European backpackers trying to navigate Washington, D.C. and promptly brought them home for a meal and a place to stay.

He had a heart for helping others in both big and small ways. Once, after organizing a food drive, he surprised a local pantry by arriving with a full semi-trailer of donations. Another time, concerned about a mother duck and her ducklings wandering too close to the Boeing parking lot, he built a temporary fence to keep them safe until they could fly.

Donald retired in the early 1990s. He and Cristina split their time between Vienna, Virginia, and Titusville, Florida, where they enjoyed golfing with friends and watching rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. In 2000, they settled in The Villages, Florida, embracing an active golfing lifestyle.

In The Villages, Donald became an Ambassador at the Arnold Palmer Golf Course, a role that brought him tremendous joy. Affectionately known as “Pappa Bear” by his golfing friends, he kept everyone’s tee times organized and even created a lighthearted video about the wildlife on the course set to a Willie Nelson tune. Though he could be grumpy now and then, it was always softened by a warm heart ready to help anyone in need.

When Cristina was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Donald became her devoted caregiver and guiding light. After 59 years of marriage, she passed away on December 17, 2015. Her loss left a profound space in his life.

He later spent time in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with his daughter Jacqueline and her husband Dave. Always needing a purpose, he began volunteering at the Kootenai Humane Society. After growing a full beard to “fit in” with the locals, he was promptly recruited to serve as Santa Claus for holiday pet photos — a role he embraced with delight.

Eventually, Donald returned to Florida, later spending time in Virginia with his son, Don Jr. Together they weathered the COVID years, traveling between Virginia and The Villages until it became easier for Donald to remain in his Florida home — the one he had built with Cristina. His son Donnie became his primary caregiver in his final years, with his daughters visiting often. He treasured those visits and the sunshine of his beloved Florida.

Donald was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 59 years, Cristina Marie Jamieson. He is survived by his four children: Jodi Jamieson of North Bergen, NJ; Susan Jamieson of Rutherford, NJ; Donald Jamieson Jr. of Fairfax, VA; and Jacqueline Ralston (Dave) of Hayden, ID. He is also survived by six grandchildren: James Jamieson, Cristina Brannan, Ricky Ralston, Alina Ralston, Andrey Ralston, and Shellen Ralston, and three great-grandchildren, Benjamin Brannan, and Vera Ralston and Logan Settle.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on March 30, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 16523 SE 76th Chatham Ave., The Villages, FL. The family invites all who knew him. A private family interment will be held the following day at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Donald’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Support Group at the New Covenant United Methodist Church, 3470 Woodbridge Dr., The Villages, FL. If donating, please be sure to include on the memo line: Memorial, Donald Jamieson, Sr.