Donald Dean Masterson was born on August 21, 1944, in Halfway, Oregon, to Russell and Grace (Tyler) Masterson. He departed this life on February 1, 2023, in Willow Springs, Missouri, at the age of 78.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Grace; his first wife, Linda; his second wife, Janet; son, Issac; grandparents, Harry and Jessie Masterson and Leonard and Mabel Gover; sister, DeeAnn (Masterson) Stonestreet; and many aunts and uncles.
Survivors include his children, Amber Bryan, Donald Moye, Michael Masterson, Tabitha Masterson-Garcia, Richard Masterson, David Masterson, Dawn Heard, Sarah Robinson, Shawn Arnold, and Brianna Masterson; brother, Dan (Patty) Masterson; sisters, Connie (Randy) Drake and Carmen Littlefield; grandchildren, Katelynn and Timothy Jordan, Jennifer (Masterson) Robinson, Dana and Matthew Canedo, Brooke Calison, Slater Collison, Annika Masterson, Kaidence, Kylie, Katelynn, Leo and Laura Garcia; and nine great grandchildren.
Donald was the first of five children born to Russell and Grace Masterson, and he was the best father in the whole world. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for anyone, day or night, he was always there. Donald had the biggest smile that lit up the world, a heart of gold, and not a mean bone in his body. He was a hard-working man. He was a navy man in Vietnam, a long haul truck driver, and then a farmer for over 34 years in the small town of Waukena, California, where we all grew up. Donald raised eleven children, including his children, stepchildren, and adopted children. He helped raise his grandchildren also, all while working on the dairy farm for long painful hours every day. He sacrificed everything for his family. He never made any of us feel any different. Society puts on labels, but to him, we were all just his children that he loved deeply. Three years ago, the doctors gave him three months to live and he fooled them.
Donald was very much loved and will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
Donald Masterson
