Donald "Don" Anson Pumphrey Sr.'s Obituary
Donald "Don" Anson Pumphrey Sr., 83, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM, surrounded by the love and presence of his wife Pam, and his children.
Don was born in Panama City, Florida. He was the second mirror twin born of Genevieve Sorensen Pumphrey and John Walter Pumphrey, who were surprised by his birth, as they thought they were pregnant with one big baby. Don was identical to his twin, Charlie - with the exception of a facial mole on Charlie's left cheek and on Don's right cheek. Industrious from his early years, Don began working with his brother at age ten, when the pair purchased a lawn mower and created the Twin Power Lawn Service. Don served 32 years with the Tallahassee Fire Department and is credited, along with several team members, for modernizing the dispatch system used during that era.
Don also founded Don's Tree Service in Tallahassee, which he owned and operated for 42 years. A certified arborist, he tended Tallahassee's beautiful live oaks for decades, working to preserve and promote the unique beauty and safety of the capital city. Sam Hand, local professor and expert in arboriculture, said, "Don is without doubt one of the finest men I have ever known. He was a true gentleman, a great family man and his word was his bond. In his chosen profession of arboricultural tree care, he set high standards for himself, especially in his personal ethics and safety for his employees and clients." Sam observed, "Structural Tree Care is a high-risk industry if not done correctly. Improperly done, it can put both workers and the general public in danger of injury, property loss or worse from tree failure. Sam said of Don, "He furthered safety for his employees by providing on-going training and safety programs. He made us all safer by helping to keep our urban forest healthier." To further protect his clients and employees, Don always provided liability coverage for his work and provided his crews "Workers Compensation Insurance" to help them in case of accident or injury."
Don fell in love with Tupelo Honey after learning of it from his fellow firemen. He gifted more of it than he consumed and made it a tradition for Don's Tree Service to give away Tupelo Honey every Christmas. That tradition is carried on by his son, Don Jr., at his law office. Don was a gifted woodworker, whose countless creations continue to be used and cherished by so many. He enjoyed making wooden pens, signs and furniture for family and friends. He even built large parts of his farm using fallen oak trees from his property.
Don was a lifelong member of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee Northside, which elected him president and recognized him as a Paul Harris Fellow. Don lived by the Rotary "Four-Way Test" and instilled that same creed in his children and family. He also belonged to the Tallahassee 100 Club, the city's oldest and most respected business networking association, for more than five decades. As a member of the local Jaycees, Don was selected in 1971 to travel to Memphis, where Elvis Presley accepted an award from the organization. Elvis had the honor of dining alongside Don before the award ceremony.
Don commanded the attention of any room he entered with an enviably sonorous (deep and rich) voice and his signature mischievous grin. He was a thinker - introspective, humble, and profoundly wise. Don was also a private pilot and avid swimmer, credited with saving the life of a young girl from drowning behind the Cove Hotel in the 1950s. Above all, Don was an exceptional husband, father and grandfather. He was the definition of a true friend - always helping others and putting service above self. To know him was to love him. His family - who knew him best - loved him most. Don's son, Don Jr., has said, "If I can be half the man my father was, I will have led a great life." If everyone emulated the character of Don Pumphrey, Sr., our world would be a far better place.
Don Pumphrey, Sr. is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pam Pumphrey, sons Don Pumphrey, Jr. of Tallahassee and Tim Pumphrey (wife Robin Pumphrey) of St. Augustine, daughter Amy (Pumphrey) Holland (husband Brent Holland) of Tallahassee, daughter-in-law Joy (Ries) Pumphrey; grandchildren Paige Pumphrey, Hope Pumphrey, Rose Holland (Pumphrey), Ava Pumphrey, Lennon Holland (Pumphrey), and Fiona Pumphrey; loving older sister Jeanette Brightwell, sister-in-law Dianne Watson (husband Mark Watson), and sister-in-law Sandy (Turner) Pumphrey. Don is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who were blessed to have him in their life - too many to name, but each and every one of them loved and adored "Daddy Don." Don was predeceased by his parents and his twin brother, Charles E. Pumphrey, who passed away on the same day - nearly to the hour - in 2002.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 29th at East Hill Baptist Church, 912 Miccosukee Rd., Tallahassee, FL. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Don will be privately laid to rest next to his parents and grandparents at Oakland Cemetery in Panama City, Florida immediately following the service in Tallahassee.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Team Guardian (volunteer transport for military and first responders), https://www.teamguardian.net/ or Big Bend Hospice, https://bigbendhospice.charityproud.org/Donate
What’s your fondest memory of Donald "Don"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald "Don"?
Share a story where Donald "Don"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald "Don" you’ll never forget.
How did Donald "Don" make you smile?