Donald Bruce Varcoe

On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Donald B. Varcoe, loving husband and father of six children, ten grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 90. Don was born on December 13, 1929 in Detroit, MI, to Clarence and Violet (Wickersham) Varcoe and was raised on a farm in Southfield, MI. On July 4, 1951, he married Beverly Jean Brahm. They raised three daughters and three sons; Donna, Brian, Shelley, Gary, Lori, and Keith. Don served honorably in the US Air Force and was discharge in March of 1953. He then embarked upon a successful career in the plumbing trade, culminating as the owner of Red Oaks Plumbing until his retirement in 2008. Don loved his family, many friends, and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A devoted and caring father, always willing to lend a hand to those in need, which often involved his tradesman skills and extensive knowledge of construction. Don volunteered as a church lay leader in a variety of roles and was well respected for his steady, stalwart guidance. Favorite activities included family adventures and gatherings, golf, hunting, boating, and card games. Don was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Donna Varcoe, in December 2019 and his brothers, Clarence, Richard and Roy Varcoe, his half-brothers Buell, Jewell, and Harold Varcoe, and his half-sister Ethel (Varcoe) Jensen. He is survived by his devoted wife Beverly of 69 years, and his five children; Brian (Merry Fischer) Varcoe, Shelley (David) Lacey, Gary Varcoe, Lori (Howard) Hunt, and Keith (Lynne) Varcoe. Also surviving are his ten grandchildren Lisa (Varcoe) Mallinger, Erin (Varcoe) Schilling, Rachel (Lacey) Walden, Maureen Lacey, Sarah (Lacey) Baldwin, Steven Varcoe, Heather Varcoe, Daniel Hunt, Elizabeth (Hunt) Coward, Hannah (Hunt) Willis, and their spouses. Also surviving are seventeen great grandchildren: Ella Swift; Josiah, Lacey and Luke Walden; Colleen, Rebecca, Zachary and Garrett Baldwin; Elise, Jack and David Hunt; Isaac, Elijah, Matthew, Abigail, Gabriella, and Levi Coward. A committal service and military honors will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI on Friday Sept. 18, 2020 at 9:30AM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to veteran charities. www.dryerfuneralhomeholly.com

Donald Bruce Varcoe

December 13, 1929 - September 1, 2020