Don was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on December 18, 1936 to Ben and DeFranca Bronson and passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Fresno on Monday, July 11, 2011.
He lived with Doris his wife of 30 years in Clovis. Don was a gentle man and was dearly loved by family and friends.
His family settled in Turlock from S.D. in 1949 but had made many trips between California and South Dakota over the years, having family in both states, while living in Valley Springs, Wallace and Lockeford areas while in California. Don graduated from Turlock High School in 1954 and joined the Navy shortly thereafter.
He worked at various jobs including mortuary work, meat cutter, road construction and had his own businesses in ranch butchering, restaurant, retail, and trucking. His latest job was driving vans for Transportation Specialties in Clovis. He and his wife became full-time RVers at one point and would work in Quartzsite in the winter and the Ponderosa Ranch in Lake Tahoe in the summer. They spent a lot of good times on their motorcycle, which has always been a love of Don's all of his adult life.
He was so happy to be able to fulfill his dream of riding to Dakota last year. He made the trip solo and visited relatives there; it was like going home for him. Another
passion he had was singing country music.
Don had his own band and was the lead singer. He won singing contests, one of which was special: he placed 1st in the Wranglers Starsearch in Fresno, which qualified him to go on and then get 3rd in the California state finals with Mo Bandy as his backup band. He also performed for many dances, weddings and even funerals. Don is preceded in death by his parents Ben and DeFranca, and his older sister Betty Cowan. He leaves behind his wife Doris; daughters Cherie Bronson of Las Vegas and Darla Hudson of Clovis; son Warner "Mac" Grubb of Hanford; grandchildren Dawn LeBlanc, Adam and Brent White, Lyndsey and Wesley Grubb; five great grandchildren; sisters Shirley Stevens and Olene Chesney both of Turlock and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Don will be remembered and missed by many. There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the Veterans Memorial Building 808 4th St. in Clovis from 1:00-6:00 p.m. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.allenmortuary.com.

Turlock Journal
Saturday, July 16, 2011