Donald Edward Walsh
April 30, 1934 ~ March 16, 2007
Resided in:
Taylorsville, NC
Donald Edward (Don) Walsh, 72, formerly of 17 Nebraska Avenue, Asheville, died Friday, March 16, 2007, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. A native of Asheville, he was a son of the late Jack and Ada Buckner Walsh.
At age 16, Don was a victim of the polio epidemic of 1950. After a year at the Asheville Orthopedic Hospital he recovered enough to return to his parents’ home and to graduate with his senior class at Lee Edwards High School in 1952. Although confined to a wheel chair, he received a degree from Blanton’s Business College and was employed by the Asheville Water Department for 27 years, retiring as Assistant Maintenance Superintendent.
In the mid 1960’s, Don became instrumental in bringing awareness to the problems confronting the physically handicapped by speaking to government, business and civic groups. He was recognized as the 1970 “Outstanding Handicapped Employee in Government” by the Mayor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.
Donald enjoyed gospel music and was the bass singer for the Times Quartet during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Although never able to drive himself, he was an automobile enthusiast and for a short while raised and sold Boxer puppies.
He was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church in Asheville, a member of Biltmore Masonic Lodge #446, AF and AM and a 32 degree Mason in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Asheville.
During the ten years that he resided in nursing homes Donald continued to pursue his various interests and to enjoy his family and many friends.
Don is survived by his loving family, a sister, Susan W. Eury of Lake Lure; two brothers, Robert M. Walsh (Jean) of Mars Hill and Harold Walsh (Cathy) of Canton; one uncle, Benny R. Walsh of Fletcher; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Biltmore Masonic Lodge #446 will conduct graveside rites at 11:00 am Monday at Green Hills Cemetery with the Reverend Doctor Wayne Adkisson officiating.
His family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm Sunday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
Memorials may be made to Broyhill Children’s Home, 111 Sneed Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 or Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565
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Dear Walsh family,
I will always remember Donald as a very motivated and charming person. He was a hero to many people, but to his family he was a brother and uncle.
May God bless you all in this time of loss. He is now with my brother, Brian, walking the streets of heaven… visting with loved ones….seeing Jesus face to face.
Love,
Tammy
to donald’s family: I was sorry to hear about the passing of donald i just found out 2day. I took care of donald for many years at green tree & really loved him. He was a great guy & we always used 2 cut up & have fun. He really was a great person. I’m very sorry 4 ya’ll’s lost!! ~take care & much luv~kim shelton
I took care of Donald while working at Greentree and we became close friends, I always got a smile and laugh out of him. I just found out about his passing and it broke my heart. I wanted to let his family know that he meant a lot to bunches of people, as you probably know. He was so smart, so caring, so wonderful. All of you are in my prayers and know that Donald is one of God’s favorite angels now!!! God Bless all of you!! Jacki Oldham
Susie, Robert, Harold,and families….. There are no words that I can find to tell you how we feel for you at this time..Having known Donald since I was a yr old, it sure hurts. And, after Locke and I got married and moved beside your Mother, Enis, and Donald, Locke Got really close to all of you also.You were all like Family to us….and Richard sometimes talks about How he and Donald were good friends and how he took him to High School. We will all miss him dearly.He was a very good and Christian person and will be missed by many..Please know that our sympathy is with you and we will never forget any of you.God Bless you all………Love and Prayers,
Susie, Robert, Harold,and families….. There are no words that I can find to tell you how we feel for you at this time..Having known Donald since I was a yr old, it sure hurts. And, after Locke and I got married and moved beside your Mother, Enis, and Donald, Locke Got really close to all of you also.You were all like Family to us….and Richard sometimes talks about How he and Donald were good friends and how he took him to High School. We will all miss him dearly.He was a very good and Christian person and will be missed by many..Please know that our sympathy is with you and we will never forget any of you.God Bless you all………Love and Prayers,
You are forever in our memories. We love you!
My prayers are with the family and friends of Don Walsh. His kindness and willingness to help other people was the reason my dad, who had arthritis and other disabilities, was able to get a job with the water department. Dad’s gone now but he never forgot Mr. Walsh’s helping him when he needed a job.
Sincerely, Patricia Branson
Dear family and friends,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of bereavement.
Virginia Christopher
Donald was a courageous soul who blessed all who met him. His faith and work will continue to bless people until Jesus returns. My prayers are with you.
Donald was the hero of my boyhood. He was brave to the point of reckless, smart to the edge of wisdom, and so handsome that when my wife first met him she exclaimed that she had married the wrong Walsh boy. I was able to jump out of a helicopter into a dark jungle because of him because he had taught me how to leap from the barn loft when I was nine years old. Before he contracted polio he was a superb athlete and a great long distance runner during an era when people didn’t run ‘for fun’ or health. Every weekend he ran from Nebraska Avenue to the farm of our grandfather, J.P. Walsh, near Deaverview Baptist Church where he would then lead us into such adventures as him tying me to the back of a red bull named Barney and sending me off across a field of cut corn stobs. On hot Saturday afternoons after the baptismal pool was filled for the next day’s saving of souls, we would sneak into the old Deaverview Church (in those days churches were not locked up) and cool off in the pool. I daresay had we been caught by our grandfather…well, it’s a good thing we weren’t, but I am sure that God laughed. Later, in my teens, I would trail Donald up to some little mountain church where he and his friends in the Times Quartet would almost lift the roof with their voices. He was one of the most remarkable people I ever met. My wife once noted that ten minutes after meeting him you had completely forgotten that he was confined to a wheel chair. He remained bright, witty, and charming throughout his life. I never heard him lament his fate and he was a constant inspiration to those who knew him. He was stricken with polio, but he was not struck down.
I was introduced to Don by John and Virginia Robinson and I began to visit and talk with him frequently while he was in the nursing home in Taylorsville. I was always impressed with how alert he was and that he could carry on an interesting conversation with you about most any topic. I never once heard him complain and he always looking forward to his family visiting and taking him out to eat. A really remarkable guy.
We were so very sorry to hear of Don’s death. He was one of the most special people we have ever known and we admired him greatly. He made bearing the long illness of my father so much easier and we so enjoyed the visits we shared. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sheri & Jim Groce and the Moore family
Susie, Robert, and Jean,
Through all of my escapades of organizing reunions I have heard many loving memories of Donald. And, as is often the story, I never made the opportuninty to follow these stories and meet the amazing man behind them. Being a widow of a polio survivor, I am acutely aware of the many difficulties bestowed upon the victims of this travesty.
All my love…………
Pippa Clarke Dolen
Lee H. Edwards High School
Class of 1959
Susan, Robert and Harold – my love to all of you in this difficult time. You know I loved Donald with all my heart and am just lost for words, to hear of his passing, even though I hated to see him in such condition. We spent many hours together, in good and bad times, and not a day passes that I don’t laught or reflect about something we discussed or discovered together. My life is certainly much richer for having been Don’s friend and I long for the day to see him ‘walk’ the streets of heaven.
I worked with Don at City of Asheville Water Dept. He was one of the nicest men I have had the priviledge to work with. My sincere condolence to the family.
Remembered with loving kindness and very proud of his story of his life like his obituary read. Came away whenever we met with lots of respect and honor for his attitude and love of Jesus Christ our Lord. An asset to the church he was dedicated to and the family that loved him. He will be truly missed by us all at Grace Baptist. Just a beautiful man to know. Sister in Christ Mrs. Parry R. Rogers.
Sorry about the passing of Donald. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. We send our prayers and thoughts to all the family.
Donald was a loving friend to us. With loving thoughts at this very difficult time. May you feel comfort and warmth from your loving Lord, family and friends. Bill & De Ann Elliott, Grace Baptist Church
I have kept my nickname Nurse Nancy, that he gave me, when I cared for him at Greentree Ridge. I lost touch with him, and have often wondered how he was doing. Now, he is with the Lord. I pray for his family and will keep them in my thoughts.
Nancy Sparks,LPN
We were sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We both worked with Don at the City of Asheville and enjoyed his smiling face and positive outlook on life. Don is now singing with the Angels in Heaven and will be waiting for us to join him. We pray that God will Bless each and every one of his family during this time.
My cousin Donald was the driver and
I rode on the rumble seat, of an old mule, at an uncle’s farm in West Asheville, the summer that he contracted polio. I will always remember him with love and respect. I know that God has him in a special place now.
SUSIE EURY IS A MEMBER AT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH WITH ME AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I WILL BE THINKING AND PRAYING FOR HER DURING THIS TIME OF SORROW . PEACE BE WITH ALL THE WALSH FAMILY .
FRED DUYCK
Don’s Family:
I am awfully sorry to hear of Don’s death. He always put up with the boys in the neighborhood with such patience. We have you all in our prayers. Lewis,Shirley
I had the privilege of getting to know Don when we worked together at the Water Department. What a fine man. Always sunny and I don’t believe I ever heard him say anything negative about any situation or any person. He was truly a role model in many ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of loss.
I graduated from high school with Don and he was also my second cousin. My mother was Olive Buckner, a first cousin to Ada. We did not know the family very well, but I started working on genealogy after I retired in 1996 and visited Ada that Fall with my sisters, Lucille Neilson and Marie Flowers Ray. Don was there and we had a chance to visit with him as well. We send our condolences to all of you for your loss.
Susie Roberts Ray
Cullowhee, NC
Susie and family.
My heart goes out to you during this trying time. We could not go through this if it wasn’t for the fond memories we have for our loved ones. Thinking of you.
Love. Shelby
Susan and Boys,
I was so sorry to learn of Donalds death.
He will always be remembered for his easy going spirit.
I can remember him as a young boy on Nebraska Ave. with his dogs and he remembered me in the tire.
God is in control now and all is well.
You will all be in our prayers.
Lewis and Geana B.Rollins
Thinking of you and remembering the days at Lee Edwards. Don’s
notice has been placed by his picture in the 1951 annual.I am a
1952 graduate, too.
To all Family members,
Don was a true friend and a very great person who will be missed by everyone who ever knew him. I am very sorry I was unable to attend the services. Don will always remain a true friend.
Sincerely,
Jack Ingle
To: Harold,Susie and extended Family
My prayers are with all of you as you morn the loss of Donald. He will continue to live in our hearts and mind for ever.
I remember all the road trips we use to take. Just driving around Asheville and talking about anything that was happening locally or nationally. The one road trip I well never forget involved a Sunday trip to Grove Park Inn for lunch. My brother Steve had an old yellow Dodge that needed a little assit when parked on an incline. I think we embarassed Donald when Steve had to get out and put a brick behind the rear tire to keep it from rolling away. I don’t think Donald ever let Steve live that one down.
Donald and my other cousin Katherine were both victims of Polio back in the 50’s. They both were great roll models for me as a young boy. To this day I can never feel bad about any problems in my life because of them. It’s not that I don’t want to feel bad sometimes but just thinking about what they both went through makes my problems seem small in comparsion. They never let their handicaps beat them and both had very meaningful life’s.
I was in the Army for 22 years and used Donald’s life story many times to help soldiers I’ve known who needed to find the will within to deal with life’s problems. I will continue to use his life story as an inspiration to me and as a source of strength to help others.
Donald, you’re loved and will be missed but never forgotten.
Sincerely,
Keith Self