Donald Craig Doute

Donald Craig. Doute, 71, of Lima, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Miami Valley Health Center in Dayton Ohio.

Don was born on August 29, 1951, in Lima, Ohio, to James and Virginia (Rader) Doute.  The youngest of three children:  Jerome R. (Stephanie) Doute who survives and James (Judy) Doute who preceded him in death.

Don was a proud 1969 graduate of Lima Senior High School.  After high school he joined the United States Army, serving stateside until his honorable discharge.  Don began his career with Bearings Inc., in Lima in 1968, taking a leave while serving his country.  His ambition and work ethic drove him to work his way up from shipping clerk to Branch Manager while earning his degree at Northwestern Business College.  He repeatedly broke sales records, both for his branch and within his district.  He retired from Bearings Inc. in 1994, but as a true salesman, he continued to make deals the rest of his days.

In third grade, Don met Bonny Goble and eventually would convince her to marry him, with the two exchanging vows on July 24, 1971.  During their life together, they and four children: Kimberly who preceded them in death, D. Matthew (Rachel) Doute, Amanda Blank, and Laura (Timothy) Ulrick.  Don was a grandfather of five:  Bethany Ulrick, Riley Ulrick, Casey Ulrick, Katelynn (Ethyn) Dirmeyer, Sara Grace Kennedy, and grandson Judah Arthur Bailey Doute who preceded him in death.  Don said goodbye to his best friend and wife in January of this year, and the family takes comfort knowing they will be together again.

Don was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  He was an avid coin collector, having never seen a wheat penny that didn’t end up in his collection.  Don was known for his humor, friendliness, and most of all for his chocolate chip cookies that he religiously baked for his children’s classes when they were in school, family events, parties, and anytime someone needed a reason to smile-earning him the title “Cookie Monster”.  Don also had a reputation of being a jokester, which held true when he finally agreed to share his chocolate chip recipe but gave them all different recipes, none being the actual recipe that had won him the hearts of cookies lovers everywhere.

The family would like to express their endless gratitude to the entire staff of the Heart and Vascular Intensive Care Unit of Miami Valley Health Center for their compassionate care while Don was a patient.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, Lima, Ohio.  The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the funeral home.  Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lima.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Donor’s Choice.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home.  Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.