Donn Thomas Botner, 74, passed away February 26th, 2024, at his home in San Ramon, California after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Although Donn fought hard, like he did with everything in his life, this cancer was a bear and ultimately won the war.
A celebration of life will be held at Botner Manufacturing, 900 Aladdin St, San Leandro, Ca. on April 20th, 2024, Donn’s home away from home. We ask in lieu of flowers if donations could be made to help fund Donn’s send off with family and friends.
Donn was born June 6th, 1949, to Thomas and Nethlyn Botner, in Fort Benning, Ga. Some of Donn’s younger years were spent moving from military base to military base living in Monterey, Ca. and even a stint abroad living in Germany before settling down again in Monterey. Donn would go on to attend California State University, Chico where he not only graduated with a degree in History, but he would also meet the love of his life Shelly Lopes. Donn and Shelly just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2023. Donn was a wonderful husband and an amazing father to his sons, Eric and Jeremiah (Jake). Donn was a large figure, and he lived his life to the fullest. He was an instrumental figure in the foundation of Warm Spring Little League, in Fremont, California, holding various titles throughout his tenure. There was nothing Donn enjoyed more than a gathering of friends and family coming together over and a bar-b-que and good drinks. In Donn’s leisure time he enjoyed vacations at the beach. Sport were always a large part of his life. Donn was a passionate man who always put everything he had into his endeavors, and nothing is more evident than the amount of time he spent starting and growing the family business, Botner Manufacturing. Donn was committed to his customers and took great pride in the relationships he built throughout the years.
Donn is survived by his wife Shelly, his son Eric Botner and Sharon Kaplan, his son Jeremiah, his daughter-in-law, Debbie Lee Botner, his brother John and nephew Aaron Botner, as well as Dog-father to Weezy, Ozzy, and Daisy. We look forward to you joining us to share stories, reminisce, and give Donn one last party recognizing his impact on all those that were lucky enough to call him Husband, Dad, and Friend.
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About |
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| Name | Donn Botner |
| Date of Birth | June 6th, 1949 |
| Date of Death | February 26th, 2024 |
| In Memoriam Donation | Celebration of Life Fund |
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Family |
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| Significant Other | Shelly Christine Botner |
| Siblings | John Botner |
| Children | Eric Richard Botner, Jeremiah Creighton Botner |
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published a tribute .
You are missed, Donn. It was a true pleasure collaborating with you over the years. Always reliable, friendly, responsive, and full of solutions you were. The impact of our loss will be felt across the industry as a whole. May you dance among the eternity of heavenly stars; happy, healthy, and free. It is my hope that your family and friends will find some comfort through your memories. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with such a genuine, caring human being. Hugs to you, Shelly, and all of those pained by this incredible loss.
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You were bigger than life, Donn. Wherever you were, your presence was apparent. You were a dedicated man in all that you did….your family meant everything to you. You worked hard at your job, but you played hard too. Your dedication to work, Little League, your family demonstrated your character. We met you through Soccer ( go Fremont United!), but was privileged to go through life with you and Shelly. You will be missed by so many…. But you were oh, so loved and left an amazing legacy! ❤️
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published a tribute .
You left us to soon. There were so many things I wanted to say to you. Even though you will always be there with me I will miss you. There hasn't been a day that you haven't been in my thoughts. I feel a vast, aching emptiness. I am grateful to have had you as my brother and my friend. You were there for me whenever I needed you. You taught me so much about life. As you once told me, learn from yesterday, live for today and look towards tomorrow. I will look to see you again. Love you.
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We will never forget Donn’s kindness and enthusiasm coaching Little League. We have so many fond memories cheering on the sidelines at Warm Springs Little League with Shelly and Jake watching Donn coaching Eric, our son, and others on the Phillies team. The kids grew and learned from Donn. We will be forever grateful for the kindness and support Donn gave us with the loss of our son.
Chick and Gayle Ferguson
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So sad to hear about Donn. Shelly. My prayers are with you and your family.
Larry Luther
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Thank you for sharing Donn with us for all these years. He was always so full of vivor whenever I spoke with him, and it's hard to believe I just spoke with him a week prior to the news... I'm so sorry, Shelly. I pray you're surrounded by family and loved ones and have your heart and home filled with love by those who loved Donn almost as much as you do. ~Kira Vander Zanden
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Shelly & family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Deepest sympathies.
❤️ Marsha & Bruce Baird
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published a tribute .
I worked with Donn on the SFMOMA expansion. I always enjoyed my interactions with Donn. Always had the best attitude and he always put me at ease. We couldn’t have built MOMA without him. I’ve also had numerous conversations with him recently for other projects and I’ve enjoyed ever conversation. I’ll miss working with him and hearing his voice. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends - I know he had a lot of them!
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I've known Donn and Shelly and the kids for over 35 years. Donn, Gene Toy (who also was taken too early by Cancer) and I were co -founders of the Warm Springs Little League in 1989. At the time the Mission San Jose Little League was over 1000 kids. Donn, Gene and I worked tirelessly to get the league chartered and built from scratch in it's current location at Warm Springs Elementary School and there is a plaque on the clubhouse building that has been there the better part of 40 years. Throughout all the years that our kids played sports, we called him onery Donn. Now we call him honorary Donn.
Donn dedicated his life to his family, his coaching, his friends and customers and his business. I knew years ago that he would work up until the day he died in his shorts all splattered with paint. (I think he still has those shorts....) God Bless you Donn, we will have Margaritas together some day up there.
Rick and Charlene Evans
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