County Seat Newspaper
of Clare County
Harrison, MIFair, 26°
Wind: 0.0 mph, N
Harrison, MI
Donald “Don” Lee Atkinson 80 of Harrison passed away peacefully on Monday, November 1, 2021 at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland. Donald was born January 15, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Stuart George Atkinson and Germain Lamae (Klandrue) Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson joined the United States Marine Corps right out of High school and honorably served his country during the Vietnam War and was awarded a Purple Heart.
Don was united in marriage to Ms. Kathleen Louise Johnson on May 19, 1984 in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Atkinson retired in 1991 from General Motors Corporation after thirty years of dedicated service as a supervisor. Mr. Atkinson has resided in Harrison since 2000, moving from South Lyon, Michigan. Don is a member of the American Legion Post 404 of Harrison, John J. Carton Lodge #436 F & A.M. of Harrison, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason as well as the Shriners. Don enjoyed hunting, shooting muzzleloaders, studying American History and expressing his political views.
Surviving Mr. Atkinson is his loving wife and best friend of thirty-seven years, Mrs. Kathleen Louise Atkinson of Harrison, five children; Donalyn, David, Scott, Denise and Donald M., two foster children, 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren. One sister, Jeanette, brother Stuart, along with sister-in-law Merry Johnson, brother-in-law Clayton Johnson. Multiple nieces and nephews. Along with extended family, Margaret, Tiffany, Rickey, Nicole, Jeff and two great grandchildren. Don’s fur babies; Jake and Livy. Mr. Atkinson was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Sandee and grandson Alexander Lee.
Military Honors for Mr. Atkinson will be held Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. from Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan 48442. Memorial gifts in memory of Don may be considered to: Clare County Veterans Freedom Park, 225 East Main Street, Harrison, Michigan 48625 or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256. To share an online memory or condolence with Don’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements and care of Mr. Atkinson and his family are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)539-7810.
