Donavan Potter

Donavan (Don) L. Potter died at home holding the hand of Jane, his wife of 59 years, in Ocala on October 31, 2022. Born May 22, 1931, on the family farm in Kent County, Michigan, near Cedar Springs, he was the oldest child of Merritt and Beulah Snethen Potter. After graduating from high school and following several years post graduate training in business and agriculture at the Davenport Institute, he worked briefly as an agricultural extension agent advising experienced farmers on how to increase their yields and profits. He hated the work for all its pretension. He had more to learn from the hardworking farmers than they could hope to learn from him. On the verge of being drafted into the Korean War military effort he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952. He served aboard the U.S.S. Roulette at the time of his honorable discharge as a Radio Man 3rd Class in 1956. His time in service inspired him to travel and seek adventure. Life took him to Boulder, Colorado where he became a partner in a Holiday Inn Motel in the early days of the franchise. Shortly after his marriage to Jane Victoria Shadron in Boulder he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to sell real estate for an up and coming development on the west side of the city, now its own municipality, Rio Rancho Estates. His success in Albuquerque earned him the title of Hidalgo de Calificada Nobleza al Servicio del Estado de Nuevo Mexico in 1970. He used his GI benefits to earn a commercial pilot's license. While he never pursued employment in the aviation industry, he loved flying to and from Mazatlán, Mexico. Real estate brought him to Ocala in the early 1970s as Silver Springs Shores developed. Later he and his wife started several independent fire safety businesses in Ocala and Gainesville and began breeding and showing Great Danes. They traveled the country showing dogs and making friends among the dog breeding community. As a member of the Great Dane Club of America, Don also served as a past president of the Greater Ocala Dog Club. Predeceased by his parents and brothers Carl and Harold, he is survived by his wife, Jane, sister Elsie (Bob) Sly and brother Merritt, known as Dan, Potter. Numerous nieces, nephews, and childhood friends remain in the greater Cedar Springs-Grand Rapids area. A graveside memorial service is to be held at the Florida National Cemetery (6502 SW 102nd Ave Bushnell, FL 33513) on November 21st, 2022, at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Marion County Humane Society in honor of Donavan Potter, a lover of animals both large and small.

Donavan Potter

May 22, 1931 - October 31, 2022