Known as Donny to hundreds of friends and acquaintances here in Boulder, he recently passed away. I thought it appropriate to say something about him, as I first got to know Donny and his twin brother Danny back in early 2007 (Danny passed on around Thanksgiving in 2007).
He was a wonderful storyteller. Like the Mountain Men who roamed the Rockies long ago, Donny never permitted any strict regard for truth to water down a Tall Tale. As he would sit on the corner at N. Broadway & U.S. 36 strumming a guitar and singing, he had a real talent for altering song lyrics in very funny ways; I still don’t know if this was intentional or not, and it doesn’t matter — Donny was an Entertainer. Many passersby have inquired about his absence, and I’ve had to tell them he’s gone for good now. Yesterday, one lady got out of her car with some flowers and placed them at the little memorial there, which was put up by some of Donny’s friends.
He had genuine compassion for others who shared his homeless circumstances. Often in wintertime, Donny would give away clothing and gear to anyone who needed it. Even though a few took unfair advantage of his generosity over the years, he didn’t hold any grudges. He would sometimes show up in the morning outside of Boulder Shelter for the Homeless happily intoxicated and telling everyone, “I looove youuu!” And he meant it. When Donny told you that you were his brother, he meant that, too.
I got mad at him a few times, for good reason, but I couldn’t stay angry for very long. He sort of soothed your hurt feelings with his roguish good humor, and all you could do is sigh and tell yourself, “That’s just Donny.”
He talked about his parents and brothers and sisters and cousins — a large family — frequently, and about North Carolina where I understand he grew up. In retrospect, I don’t think he ever really got over his twin brother’s passing. Several times he said to me, as I yielded the corner to him, “I just need to make a few dollars to get a drink; you know what that’s about.” I was only guessing, of course, but I figured he was feeling blue over the loss of Danny.
Well, we can all hope that they are reunited now in a Far Better Place . . .
I shall miss you, Donny.
Lovely tribute.
My name is David Horne. I am Donny’soldest brother. And then there was one. Gone before Donny was his twin brother, Danny and Joyce, our only sister. It’s hard to believe that the three of them are gone. I have been contacted by many of their close friends who had nothing but kind and generous words to share about them.
Sadly, after I graduated HS in Fayetteville, NC, I moved onto begin my college career and subsequently made the United States Navy a career. We all moved on with our own seperate lives. Joyce took hers to the bitter cold north to Alaska and Wisconsin. Donny and Danny off and on shared the same direction, often having a falling out that would split them apart from time to time. They all made unwise life choices along the way that negatively affected their health and shortened their lives.
I love them and dearly miss them. I feel very sad for our mother. It was never intended that a mother should out live her kids, but she has so far.
My only prayer is that they had their spiritual affairs in order.
May God Bless Joyce, Danny & Donny.
David Horne, Commander, USN
I'm very glad to hear from you! Donny spoke to me about his big brother in the Navy several times.
I also miss him very much.
Thank you for taking the time to post a comment here, and I wish you and your mother all the best.