Donald Bartlett Midgley

Loving and wonderful husband, father and grandfather, Donald Bartlett Midgley, aged 90, passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 2022, at Leesburg Hospital, with his beloved wife, Jody, by his side. Born September 25, 1931, in Detroit, MI, he was the son of the late Harrison (Harry) Alfred and Isadora (Dora) Olive Wallace Midgley. He was educated in Detroit city schools and studied business at Wayne State University. In 1947 Don served in the US Army Air Force band where he cultivated his passion for the trumpet. He enjoyed music, especially jazz and jazz bands for the rest of his life.

Don spent his career in the auto industry, working for Champion Spark Plug Company, Toledo, Ohio for 30 years, where he rose from Sales Representative to General Sales Director; as Manager of Sales Training he felt that his talents and skills aligned the best. Post Champion, Don developed a sales training course, “A Whole Selling Attitude” through AWDA University while he was President of the Car Care Council, Port Clinton, OH from 1988 until he retired in 2003.

He raised his family in Sylvania, OH and Belmont, CA and was living in Catawba Island, OH when he and Elaine first visited The Villages. They became snowbirds in 1998 and full-time Villagers in 2003. While in California, he became an avid runner, and for years ran as many as 8 miles a day. Totally involved in Village's life, he enjoyed golf (shot his age often after 80), tennis, pickleball and bicycling as well as was active in Jazz Lovers Club, Electric Guitar Club, A-Train jam sessions, Baby Boomers South Club dancing, and traveling right up until he died. Always living near the Great Lakes, he loved boating, fishing and being on the water, naming his boats “Carpe Diem I, II & III.” With Jody he moved from Village of Rio Grande after 20 years, to the Village of Lake Deaton and as recently as September 2021 they cruised and hiked in the Caribbean with their Quietwoods friends.

Don was forever happy, appreciated each sunrise, his family and all he had each day. His goal was to make others smile. “Power to the Lefties,” he’d say to form an immediate connection. With his father, he joined the Fraternal Order of Masons, remaining for 20 years and served in the Rotary Club of The Villages. He was a past member of Inverness Golf Club, Toledo, OH, the Olympic City & Golf Club of San Francisco, CA and the Catawba Island Club, Port Clinton, OH. As a high sales achiever he received annual trips to worldwide exotic places with the Champion Sellebrity Club, first as participant and then leader over the years. In 1984 he received the national Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award. Constantly striving to improve himself and perfect his golf, he enjoyed reading, especially politics and social issues, was forever curious and always fun and fun loving; his life’s motto was, “Carpe Diem”, seize the day.

He is survived by his wife, Jody Wren, a son Donald Scot (Sharon Walsh) Midgley, of Ottawa Lake, MI, grandchildren, Allison Midgley (Robert) Gosalvez of Sunnyvale, CA, William Harrison Midgley of Chicago, IL, Katherine M. Midgley of Toledo, OH and stepchildren, Emily Sanders (Andrew) Steczo, Brian P. Sanders, both of Atlanta, GA and Andrea Sexton (Matt) Weiss, Lansing, MI, step-grandchildren Drew and Lainey Steczo and Nathan Weiss, a brother, Jack (Sandy) Midgley, Lansing MI and a sister-in-law Vilma Morrish, Detroit, MI formerly of The Villages, FL plus nieces and nephews; nephews Steve and Jeff Morrish have recently moved to The Villages. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Elaine Morrish Midgley in 2016 and a son Douglas Bradford Midgley in 1995.

Don’s family will deeply mourn his loss. His last words, repeated while he had breath, were, “love and understanding,” to remind himself and all of us.

A family celebration of this amazing life is planned for spring in Michigan followed by interment at Catawba Island, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial tributes for Don to Shriners Hospitals, https://lovetotherescue.org/memorial-gifts or Parkinson’s Foundation, https://www.apdaparkinson.org/get-involved/memorial-and-tribute-gifts/