August 24, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Donald Frank “Don” Gaines, 79, was called home to be with the Lord on August 20, 2020 at the Waterford of West Bend.
Don was born on October 26, 1940 in Orlando, Florida to Frank Ellis Gaines and Betty Virginia Gaines (Lobb). He was united in marriage to Loraine Gaines (St. Laurent), later to Lois Gaines (Weaver) then finally to his true love, Patricia “Pat” Bedford-Gaines in 1987. Pat passed away January 14, 2014.
He is survived by his children, Lisa (Mark) Hall of West Bend and Larry Lee (Christy) Gaines of Franklin, NC; 6 grandchildren, Amanda “Mandy” Lieb (Jeff) of Greenfield, Blake Hall of West Bend, Mike (Maggie) Gaines of Belleview, FL, Jessica (Will) Pellerin of Ocala, FL, Brant (Bethanie) Ragan of Summerfield, FL, Cheyenne Nettles of Wildwood, FL; 6 great-grandchildren, Aisling Lieb, Wyatt Pellerin, Kainen Ragan, Kaysen Ragan, Karter Nettles, and Zoey Miller. He is also survived by his dear step-daughters, Jane Jennings (Jim) of St. George, Utah, Gail Inman (Bob) of Denver, CO, and their combined children and grandchildren.
Don graduated from South Dade High School in Homestead, FL in 1957. He proudly served his country over 21 years in the United States Navy, traveled the world then across the United States, and retired early in 1979 to care for his aging parents. His favorite hobbies after retirement included gold mining, metal-detecting, watching old westerns on TV, and he loved hanging out with his friends at the local casinos while living in Las Vegas and later Pahrump, NV.
In addition to his parents and his wives, Don was preceded in death by his son, Larry Leonard Gaines, his sisters, Ruth Crofoot and Virginia “Boots” Strickland, his brother, Robert “Bobby” Gaines, and Pat’s sons Tom and Terry Bedford.
Don’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Waterford in West Bend and Heartland Hospice in Milwaukee for the loving care they provided. They not only showed love and compassion to Don, but provided much needed and appreciated support for the family.
Cards addressed to the family may be sent in care of: Myrhum – Patten Funeral and Cremation Service, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Don’s arrangements.
