Donald Nash

By the 1930s money was scarce because of the depression, so people did what they could to make their lives happy. Economics dominated politics. The decade began with shanty towns and ended with an alphabet soup of federal programs funded by the national government and an assortment of commissions set up to regulate Wall Street, banking, and other business enterprises. People gathered around radios to listen to the Yankees and laugh at the antics of such comedians as Jack Benny, Fred Allen, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Amos and Andy, and Fibber McGee and Molly. Young people danced to the big bands. This was the decade that Donald James Nash entered on January 28th, 1931.

Don was born in Holland, the 5th of 9 children, to Clifford and Mary (VanDam) Nash. The Nash family home, where Don grew up, was at 105 Madison Avenue, just off Douglas Avenue on the north side of Holland. This was almost right next door to the Roamer Boat Company, where Don would work later in life. Both Don's parents worked hard to support the family. Don's dad was a machine operator and wood worker and his mother operated machines at HJ Morris.

Don attended the Old Beachwood Country School, which was just 200 feet or so west, and across the street, from his family's home. Don was not much on formal education, quitting in the 8th grade. Like many others during these times, Don's focus was on the present and the present necessitated that he find a job. His first job was at Racine Shoe Factory. From there he would work in various capacities in the boat building industry for most of his life.

At a young age of 17, Don was drafted into the US Marine Corp and traveled west to California to attend basic training. After basic training Don served as a reservist, from his home in Holland, for the next 4-5 years.

Don started his boat building career at Chris Craft and after a short time moved on to the Roamer Yacht, Inc., where he would work for many years. Don's boat building skills and drive would present an opportunity for him to construct a boat building plant in Douglas MI for the Denison Family. This plant would become Broward Marine. Don was proud that he built the building and then became the boss responsible for building the yachts that are still considered the premier yachts in the world. Don was a master boat builder. He was so skilled in his trade that Don would build a boat or yacht and then the engineers and draftsmen would draw up the blueprints (Don had no need for a blue print to build a boat, he saw every boat in his head before it was built). He was very good at his craft.

Don first met his future wife Edna at the Moose Lodge in Grand Rapids. It was said that Don's aunt and uncle may have even set it up; however, on this first meeting when Don offered Edna a ride back to Holland at the end of the evening she said no! The next time they saw each other was at Don's father's favorite spot, the Old Owl Tavern. This was only after prompting from his father that Edna was working. Edna worked part time for her aunt and uncle who owned the place.

On January 19th, 1957, Don and Edna were married at Grace Episcopal Church. Starting a life together was difficult; they both worked and lived in a modest little trailer and then in a small house behind Don's parent's home. Don and Edna's dream of owning a home was fulfilled when they bought a house at 16300 Port Sheldon Road, where they would live for almost 50 years. The house was out in the sticks. When they bought it, the house was really just some frame work, not even a roof. Don's brothers helped him jack up the house and put a basement under it and then Don finished building it; it was evident that he could build anything.

Don was very much the outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish as often as he could, especially with his brothers and his only child, Joe. In his early years, Don and his brothers would hunt together almost every Sunday.

Through the years, Don, Edna and Joe enjoyed camping in places like Ludington and Cadillac. They enjoyed these family outings so much they eventually bought a cabin on Hamlin Lake near Ludington. It became a sanctuary where family members would go all the time to fish and enjoy the peace and beauty of the outdoors.

Don was not only a shaper of boats, yachts and homes, he gave his time and life experience to help shape the character of young men. Don was a Boy Scout leader for many years, teaching young men the values he had learned in life. In addition to giving his time, Don built for "his scouts" the Troop #57 lodge and numerous canoes, which are still used today. Don liked to take his scouts camping different places and occasionally to a U of M football game. Whatever the outing, Joe was with him.

Don thrived on spending many hours working on "projects". It didn't matter whether it was converting an old bus with his brother Bob, building a gazebo next to the pool, building a fish cleaning hut, or building a pool for his son - he was happy. Don spent many hours in his garage just doing "projects".

Don was proud when his grandson, Clayton, was born. He valued and loved the time they would spend together.

Don was a simple man with simple tastes...he loved fudge, meals of meat and potatoes and he enjoyed listening to the music of Slim Whitman and Box Car Willy. He was proud of the fact he was a Master Ship Builder without a college degree. Don always said that he went all the way through school.....in the front door and right out the back! He lived his life with Edna at his side. It was a known fact that if you saw Don, Edna wasn't far behind. Don was not necessarily a church man, but he was a man of faith.

Don died Friday September 12, 2003 in Hospice House of Holland. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Edna, son Joe and Nancy Nash of Holland, grandson Clayton, brothers and sisters Donna VanSlooten of Holland, Ethelyn "Tub" Johnson of West Olive, Dorothy VanOort of Holland, June and Glen DeJonge of Holland, Bob And Gladys Nash of Holland, Jack and Virginia Nash of Holland, Marylou and Burton Smith of West Olive, and Terry Nash of Fennville, sister in law Anna DeKraker of Holland, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be 1 PM Monday at the Northwood Chapel Dykstra Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Avenue, with the Rev. Thomas Toeller-Novak officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with Don's family from 2-4 and 7-9 Sunday at the Northwood Chapel Dykstra Funeral Homes. To read Don's life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland or to Grace Episcopal Church Building Fund, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Don Nash was a loving and caring family man, who found much happiness with life. He was a talented man who loved to share.