Donald Ray Lieurance Sr.'s Obituary
Donald Ray Lieurance, Sr. was born December 14, 1938 in Salem, Oregon. His parents were Thomas Ray Lieurance and Irene Mae Phillips Lieurance. Don was the eldest of their two children, Mel Lloyd being the youngest. He came from a home with an abundance of love. Don inherited his dad’s sense of humor and love of life. He had his share of struggles, but hard work leads to success, and so it was for Don. When asked what his words of wisdom would be, Don replied “If you need a helping hand, look at the end of your arm”.
Don and Carolyn Jean Burke met in 1956 at the Imperial Roller-Skating Rink in Portland. They went to different High Schools, Don managed to get her phone number, and Carolyn invited him to her home to help him with his school work. Don considered it their first date, and recalls he got a good grade on the paper. He joined the Army Reserves while in High School and after graduating, and half way through six months active duty, (2 months Basic and 4 months Police training) he proposed marriage. Don and Carolyn were married on 6 September 1958.
Don’s story is one of Rags to Riches, from what he describes as merger beginnings to starting his work career as a Warehouseman at the Wire Rope Corporation America. In the 1960’s, Don began tracking down places he had heard or read about, and this was the beginning of a life of treasure hunting.
In the mid-1970’s, when it was no longer legal to hunt for Indian Artifacts in Oregon, Don began exploring Ghost Towns, and with permission on private property, he enjoyed looking for Indian Ruins in Arizonia.
Don became a District Sales Manager for Wire Rope Corporation America, and in 1977 he quit and opened an Antique Shop—“End of the Trail Collectibles”. His shop carried all kinds of antiques, and specialized in Militaria and Native American items. He prided himself with treating people fairly and with respect, and his business grew. Success allowed him to purchase the building, and a home. Don became one of just a few people in Portland, Oregon known as an expert in Native American items. As a member of the Oregon Historical Society, he worked to discover and document Indian sites.
In the 1990’s, Don took-up Metal Detecting. He became a member of the Oregon Treasure Trails Society (OTTS); and through the years made 16 trips to England as a Metal Detectorist working with the Dover Museum in Dover, and the Castle Museum in Norwich.
Don met and hired Marilynn Rustand to manage his Collector Book Store at a satellite location, not far from his Antique Shop. In April 2000, after 23 years in the Antiques Business, Don retired. He enjoyed going to places like Tonopah, Nevada where he and 30+ Metal Detectorist met each year to work the World-Famous Tonopah Dump, Stage Stops, Ruins, Ghost Towns, and a Military Site.
In 2005, Don found himself on another adventure, this time it was hunting for gold in Gaines Creek, Alaska. Don and Carolyn had different interests and eventually their paths separated.
Instead of dreaming about doing things, Don went out and did them! He set goals, and stayed with things until his goals were reached. Eight years after closing his Antique Shop, he called Marilynn and asked her out for a piece of pie. They were married on November 28, 2008. They both had an adventurous spirit and felt blessed spending each day of their lives together.
Don was an ICON in the Antique Business. People still remember the fun of being in his shop, and all that came with that experience. It’s been 24 years since he retired, and people still talk about his shop. Antique dealers and past customers greet him at the door, when he attends an Antique Show.
He loved people at every level of their lives, never judging, and when asked he was always happy to give wise advice and share a few words of encouragement. He had a gift to draw you into the middle of a story, and I admired and respected him more than I can tell. Don was down to earth, approachable, and always wore a smile. He was as big as life and humble all at the same time. If you missed meeting Don and getting to know him, you missed a wonderful experience. His life was a great example of God’s love, and I often think how pleased God must be with him!
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Rae Lieurance, Irene Mae Phillips Lieurance; and brother Melvin Lieurance. He is Survived by his wife, Marilynn Rustand Lieurance; Son, Donald Ray Lieurance, Jr.; Daughter, Donna Rae Lieurance Harris; Grandsons, Joshua, Jonathan, and Nathan Lieurance; Timothy, and Christopher Harris; Granddaughter, Becky Harris; Great Grandchildren, Griffon, Hunter, and Carolyn Lieurance; and Great Grandchild Levi Harris.
A Funeral Service will be held for family and friends at 10 a.m. on Thursday August 29, 2024 at Columbia Funeral Home 681 Columbia Blvd., St Helens, OR 97051. A Graveside Committal will be directly following at Columbia Memorial Gardens 54490 Columbia River Hwy. Scappoose, OR 97056.
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