Bugger! I spoke with Don only a couple of days before Christmas, he was in really good spirits and we were joking about my coming to collect the lemonade he still owes me. I too have none but happy memories of the big guy, he was one of lifes true gentlemen and a great freind. When we spoke he was really upbeat and looking forward to heading out to the salt next year. The old fart gave me no idea exactly how sick he really was, just said that he's getting the best help and is surrounded by family, the best medical people and the word's greatest friends, the members of the Stags Car Club. These guys were also helping him get his '34 coupe back together. One of the things we agreed on was how taking the old car out for a spin was the best therapy a hot rodder could have and it always put the smile back on his face and made him feel so much better. Another thing that happened when we were talking was the front doorball rang, so Don went to open it and was greeted by a bunch of kids singing Christmas Carols, he was so overcome with joy, I'll never forget sharing that moment with him, or our roadtrip to Bonneville, which was one of the most enjoyable times I've ever had travelling with my buddies anywhere on earth. On the scary side, is that he's finally likely to meet my best mate 'Datsfa' and thinking of those two rascals cruising together will always put a smile on my face. Rest in peace Big Guy! My world is a better place for having known you as a freind.
Sorry to hear, I met Don at Bonneville a few years back and agree that the hot rodding community lost a great guy.
I'm going to miss Don. He was a long distance friend and always with a smile. I met him at Bonneville and ran into him all over the country. My sincere condolences to his family. It always seems to be the good ones...
I had the honor of hanging out with Don on several occasions... he was a great man who lived life to the fullest! We will miss you, Sam.
Pics are good. . . this one is one of my favorites, and its in the rotation of my screen saver. HARD CORE in the snow with a sweet ride like that. Godspeed Don
I met Don a few years ago at Bonneville. Nicest guy in the world! I loved listening to his stories. We will all miss him.
Sorry to hear the news...I met Don this summer on our return trip from Bonneville...great guy, even got a ride in his cool '46...our thoughts go out to his family.
Rest in Peace. May god be with you and your families. I lost my father to cancer as well on july 4th, 2004. It was a lengthy battle and The hardest I have ever lived though, and I wasnt even the one with cancer. My father was and will always be my best friend. He rides with me on a daily basis, and works on my rods and projects hand in hand as he used to when he as here mortally.
I'm sorry to hear that. Don was a great guy. I remember when his tranny died in his '34 coupe on the way to California a few years back. He and lurker mick had to spend the night in his coupe at a rest stop south of Las Vegas. He had such a great attitude and took it all in stride. He will be missed. Ken
Goodbye Don. You were a great friend to me, and a towering example of a man with a winning attitude to everyone. Ill miss you buddy.
Thanks Bob for the update. I had talked to Don at the salt this year and the subject of his health came up. The look in his eyes, I felt so helpless. He will be missed.
Don was a great man. He touched the lives of a lot of us, even up here in the Northwest. He drove everywhere he could anytime he could to any event he could. I can't remember a time that I saw him not smiling, and that's how I will always remember him. A better example of a gentleman would be hard to find. We will miss ya Don, I hope our paths cross again. Rest in Peace my friend.
Just got this email from Don's wife Linda. It outlines the funeral arrangements. Also got an email from Lurker Mick, there are a bunch of guy's putting the finishing touches on Don's Blown, black (thanks Jim) 34 coupe so that one of his son's can drive it to the funeral. Bob, This is to inform you of the passing of Don Palfreyman. His battle with Cancer is over and he has moved on to the great burnout in the sky. There will be a viewing held for Don on Tuesday, 02 January 07 from 6 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday 03 January from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.followed by the funeral at 11:00. Services are being held at Lindquest Mortuary, 3408 Washinghton BLVD. Ogden Ut, 84401. We would like to tahnk you for helping make Don's memories bright and fun. He loved his cars and car "BUDDIES". Thanks again. Sincerely, Linda Palfreyman Don, we are missing you already. BB
I'm sorry for your loss. Been there with Mom in Mar 05. My best thoughts and wishes for the family. Jocko
That was on the way home from the Fuel & Gas Finals in 2000, and the one and only time I met Don. The weather turned a little cold in Vegas that weekend, but nothing like what Don and John had to face on the way home to Utah! RIP Don. We'll all miss you.
Here is a the Obitituary for OldFartsandOldFords as published today. Thanks River1 Don" Palfreyman Colonel Clifford "Don" Palfreyman (Retired) ROY - Don passed away, surrounded by loved ones, after a brave and courageous fight with pancreatic cancer Thursday, December 28, 2006. He was born July 29, 1941 in Pocatello, Idaho to Clifford F. and Julia Lorraine Ekstrom Palfreyman. Don graduated from the old Davis High School in 1959. He married MarJean Morrow; and later divorced. On August 20, 1982, Don married his "little sweetie" Linda Marie Keller. He retired from Hill Air Force Base in 1998 after 32 years of service. He then worked for ML Technologies for four years before retirement. Don served in the Utah Army National Guard with the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) for 23 years, achieving the rank of Colonel. He had a great love and passion for old hot rods and custom cars. He was a member of the Stags Car Club for almost 30 years. He was one of the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association's Rodder's Representatives. One of his great loves was driving his '34 Ford three window coupe to car shows all over the western states. Another love was fitting in a good round of golf. Don was dearly loved by all who knew him. He had a contagious smile and anyone that was a stranger quickly became a lifelong friend. He was a good man, full of integrity and kindness. Don is survived by his wife, Linda; mother, Julia L. Palfreyman, Farr West; sons, Ted (Cathy) Palfreyman, Kingman, AZ, Scott (Kristie) Palfreyman, Harrisville, Dan (Susan) Palfreyman, Roy; seven grandchildren; and a brother, Al (Marjean) Palfreyman, Taylor. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford F. Palfreyman; and a son, John T. Palfreyman. Special thanks to Dr. Frank Sharf, Lt. Marsh and our military family at the 75th Medical Group at Hill Air Force Base. Our thanks to Dr. Richard Frame and our family at the Utah Cancer Specialists in Layton, Utah for their compassionate care and to Dr. Leslye Ingersole and our family at the Radiation Department and our family at McKay-Dee Hospital for their compassion and great care. Funeral services will be held Wed-nesday, January 3rd, 11 a.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends and family may call Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lind-quist's Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Email condolences to the family via [email protected] BB
Bob, Sorry to hear about the loss. That's just another hand reaching down to keep the rest of us protected going down the road. RIP Don. monkey
Krozin1 is correct, the roadster belonged to me - John Moore. Don and I were headed home from Vegas / Goodguys nostlagia drag races in Oct. 1999. this was the worst blizzard / road conditions I had driven in for many years. We made it home safe and sound. Not a fun trip home, but after a while and a little time it made good story telling and Don and I always laughed about it later. One thing I found out, RainX does not work on snow, and flat windshields do not shed snow. At this stop, we had stopped to wipe the snow off our windshields - somewhere in southern Utah. Don and my wife and I traveled many thousand miles together, John
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