Donnie Humes

With loved ones beside him, Donald G. "Donnie" Humes, 76, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday evening, Sept. 18, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center, following a brief hospitalization.

Donnie was born July 7, 1938, in Cape Girardeau, to Capel Bud Humes and Helen Louise Gohn-Humes. Donnie's surviving relatives include his loving sister, Charlotte Brandon of Magnolia, Texas, whom, for the past five years, Donnie would call every Sunday morning at 8:30, so that they could chat, catch up on the week's news, and just check in with each other.

"Uncle Don," as he was fondly referred to, was also survived by Charlotte's children that he loved as his own and spoke of often -- Julia (Kenneth) Gilbertsen of O'Fallon, Missouri, Janet (Scott) Dodez of Magnolia, Texas, and Bryan (Carolyn) Brandon of St. Ann, Missouri; great-nieces and nephews Krislyn Gilbertsen, Adrienne and Natalie Dodez, Jessica Brandon, Matthew Breier, and Megan and Amanda Brandon; and great-great-niece Jacey Lee.

Donnie would often share stories with his work friends, many of whom were like family, of time spent with his sister and her family each year when he would travel to the St. Louis area for Thanksgiving, and also the good times he would have when he'd go to Texas each year for Christmas for one to two weeks.

Upon the sudden death of Donnie's dad in 1966, Donnie quickly and without hesitation took the role of looking after and caring for his mom, which he did in a manner that would make any parent proud, caring for his mother until she passed away in 1992. Donnie also was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Paul Brandon.

Following graduation from Cape Girardeau Central High School, Donnie began his working career, first with Roy Craft Filling Station on Sprigg Street, followed by periods with both Harris Motor Co. and Jim Wilson Co. before going to work for Nip Kelley in the mid '70s, which is where he still was employed at the time of his death.

Throughout those years, Donnie logged many miles as an over-the-road driver and probably hauled about every piece of heavy equipment known to man, and no job was ever too big or too small.

Donnie decided to retire to Magnolia in 2000 and spend time with Charlotte, Paul and their family. That lasted all of nine months, as Donnie discovered maybe he wasn't as ready as he thought he was for the easy life, so he returned to Cape and back to his job at Nip Kelley Equipment. Again, Donnie attempted retirement in 2012, heading once again to Texas, but this time he only made it three months before returning to his hometown of Cape and the friends and job he loved.

Donnie loved his family and was a great friend to more than he probably even realized. He never met a stranger and will be remembered as a friendly guy, always ready with a smile and a quick hello -- one of the true good guys.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bryan Brandon, Janet and Scott Dodez, Colby Reeves, Vince Kelley and Terrence Kelley.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.