Donald Levison Sr.

Donald (Don) Levison Sr passed peacefully to his eternal home on November 15, 2024 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia NC. He was 96 years old. Don was preceded in passing by Mary, his beloved wife of 60 years; daughters Susan and Pamela; and his parents, Sidney and Pearl Levison. He’s survived by son Don Jr and his wife Rhoda, son Eric and his wife Pat, and daughter Sandra and her husband Frank. He’s also survived by 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Don was born in Savannah, GA where he met and married his first and only love Mary. After serving in the Navy on active duty and reserves, Don worked for 38 years until retirement at Union Camp Corporation in Savannah, Spartanburg SC and Greensboro NC. He then enjoyed a successful second career in fine jewelry sales until age 75. Following his “second retirement”, Don and Mary shared a home with daughter Susan in Broken Arrow, OK where Mary passed in 2009 and Susan in 2022. Following Susan’s passing, Don returned to NC, along with his two precious cat companions, residing with son Don Jr and wife Rhoda in Stanley. In 2024, Don became a resident in the Stanley Total Living Center where caring staff and sense of community enriched his life until he passed.

Don loved his wife, his family, his cats, and his faith above all else. The Levisons enjoyed vacations together at the GA, SC and GA beaches and trips to the NC mountains. He invited his parents, in their senior years, to share his family’s home in Greensboro - making for an oft-raucous, always loving family affair.

Quick-witted and often joking, Don displayed leadership throughout life. Don was captain for the ROTC cadet corps at Commercial High School in Savannah, and earned an associate degree in business at Armstrong College there while working and helping to manage a growing family. Don was a 14th degree Mason through Landrum Lodge in Savannah and a Masonic member for 70 years. Serving his community, Don became involved in Civitan as charter President of Four Seasons Club in Greensboro; he was eventually elected Governor of Civitan for half of NC, earning prestigious awards from Civitan International for his leadership.

Don had an amazing memory for past and current events. He often reflected on his long life, and endeavored to live in gratitude. He was gifted with a youthful appearance and enjoyed playing “guess my age” with new acquaintances. An avid reader throughout his later life, his favorite pastime became playing solitaire on his Kindle - completing thousands of games, up to the last weeks of his life.

Don will be remembered for his sweet, funny spirit; his quiet faith; his dedication to, and love for, his wife, family, cats, and friends, who loved him in turn. Testament to the life of a good man.

The family is holding private services. Memorials might be directed to Don’s favorite charity, St. Jude Hospital Children’s Research Hospital.

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