Don Upshaw, Sr.

Don Edward Upshaw, Sr. was born on March 28, 1934, in Wichita, Kansas to his parents, Rev. Johnnie Wade Upshaw and Alice Spurgeon Upshaw. He was raised surrounded by his brothers, William, John, and his sisters, Naomi, Mary, Ruth, and Sherri. As a child, he loved working in his mother's garden. It was during those early years that he developed a passion for fishing. Many times while growing up, his family would be out looking for him only to find him fishing. He was also known to ditch school just to go fishing. He maintained his passion for fishing for the rest of his life. Don received his early education in Kansas where he attended the local public school system. He was very athletic and excelled in both basketball and boxing where he earned several awards for boxing excellence. One of the many memories of his younger days was that of Don dressing up in his father's Sunday best clothes on Saturday night and sneaking out of the house to visit his favorite "night spot" and returning home Sunday morning with the clothes smelling like Saturday night and his father needing his clothes for Sunday morning church. Don united in holy matrimony to the former Barbara Jean Juniel on August 20, 1966. They first met when they both lived in Denver. To this union was born Don Upshaw, Jr. and with this union, he became the father of Charles, Robert and Cheryl. The family shared many happy and precious moments together. Later his thirteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren were an additional source of joy and pride in his life. Don found great pride and joy in teaching and taking his family on his many fishing trips to teach and help them develop a love for fishing. By profession, Don was a Master Mechanic. He was employed by Tynan Nissan for over twenty-one years as a lot mechanic. He loved working for the company. He was hard working, dependable and performed his duties with a spirit of excellence. He was respected by co-workers and he treated everyone he worked with as family. He often sent many of family and friends to the dealership and helped them purchase vehicles using his name as a point of reference. When not working at the dealership, he would be found under the hood of a friend or family vehicle helping them with car problems. A man of faith and belief in the Lord, Don was a member of Christ our Redeemer AME Church under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Leonard and the late Reverend Betty Emerson. He was a faithful and dedicated member. He served his church and the Lord as a member of the Trustee Board, the Male Chorus and the Gospel Choir. He was also a sponsor of a Youth Summer Recreation Program for the City and County of Denver held at the church. He supported the initiative for over five years. He truly enjoyed his walk with the Lord and the fellowship shared with his church family. Don was a fun loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled. In his free time, he continued to enjoy fishing. He loved to entertain family and friends hosting barbeques and fish fry's. He loved landscaping. He spent a lot of time preparing the Denver Annual Garden Tours. His gardens were a showcase of beautiful collard greens, firm squash, large green and red tomatoes and gorgeous cabbages just to name a few. He was known for his "chaw chaw" and he didn't share the recipe with others. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful man who has "Gone Fishing." To know Don was to love him. Don is preceded in death by a son, Charles Mayes; a daughter, Debra Dallas; his parents, Rev. Johnnie Wade Upshaw and Alice Spurgeon Upshaw; a brother, John Upshaw; and a grandson, Lamar. Don departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on March 30, 2013 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife, Barbara J. Upshaw of Denver; two sons, Robert W. Mays and Don E. (Billie) Upshaw, Jr. all of Denver; 1 daughter, Cheryl A. (Robert) Dotson of Aurora; 1 brother, William (Ethel) Upshaw of Tampa, FL; 4 sisters, Naomi Jean Regular, Mary Alice (William) Lyday, Ruth Ann (Rev. Lonnie) Kemp and Sherri K. Bowens all of Wichita, KS; 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 4/5/2013 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 4/6/2013 at 10:30 AM - Pipkin Braswell - Denver, CO
Cemetery: 4/6/2013 - Highlands Memorial Gardens - Thornton, CO