Don was born in Mount Harris, Colo., near Hayden, on Nov. 24, 1923, to Gilbert Pete “Bert” and Flora May (Sharp) LeFevre. He attended schools in Axial Basin and later finished high school in Meeker, graduating in 1942.
Don married Melba (Steinmetz) Lumpkin on June 17, 1950. They honeymooned in Yellowstone Park and loved to visit the park throughout their later years. He and Melba would make many trips to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and numerous Sunday afternoon trips to Piceance Creek, the North Fork and Yellowjacket to view the wildlife. He was an avid hunter throughout his active years.
Don entered military service in July 1943, and served in the U.S. Army Air Force until his discharge in March 1946. He returned to Meeker and began working primarily as a truck driver and equipment operator for various jobs around Meeker. In 1951, he began the work that was pride of his life, driving a truck for Harp Transportation, Bee Freight Lines, and finally Northwest Transportation. He was proud to be selected as “the driver” for Port Franklin’s show bulls that took him to the Western National Stock Show in Denver and the San Francisco Cow Palace.
Don served more than 50 years in Rio Blanco Masonic Lodge No. 80 and earned his 32nd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in the Grand Junction Consistory on April 27, 1974. He served as Worthy Patron to Meeker’s Order of Eastern Star continuously for 27 years. He traveled with Melba as her escort when she served on the Grand Chapter of Colorado Eastern Star as Grand Martha, and was Grand Representative to Tennessee for Colorado. They were able to enjoy travels together to many Eastern states, Hawaii and a cruise in the Caribbean. They were also members of the Eastern Star marching drill team, the Colorado West Star Steppers, who traveled throughout Colorado.
He adopted Daryl, Melba’s son, as his own, and later Darlene Kay was born on July 29, 1952. He was able to enjoy his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren camping and snowmobiling in Wyoming and around the Meeker area.
Don is survived by: his wife of more than 64 years, Melba; son Daryl (Carolyn) of Cody, Wyo.; daughter Darlene Massey of Grand Junction; grandchildren April Massey of Craig; Sonja (Steve) Cook of Grand Junction; Tony (Sara) LeFevre of Firestone, Colo.; great-grandchildren: Anjel, Selena, Dominic, Isaac, Amanda Cook and Ashly (Brandon) Fasold, Alexia and Kelsey; sisters Shirley Minnick and Sue Dunbar; a brother, Tom (Joyce) LeFevre; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services were held at the Rio Blanco Masonic Center at Seventh and Park streets in Meeker on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. Interment is at Highland Cemetery.
Services were under the care and direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.
