Obituary of Donald Kelly Temple

Dr. Donald “Don” Kelly Temple, 86, of 962 Topia Rd, Piney Creek, NC passed away on Tuesday, June 12,

2018 at his home. He was born September 13, 1931 in Guilford County to the late Rev Dewey Lowe

Temple and Mittie Clodfelter Temple.

He was preceded in death by a grandchild, Jeremy Spainhour; six brothers, Norman Temple, David

Temple, R.J. Temple, Willis Temple, Mack Temple and Bill Temple; a sister, Dela Wagoner.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Brenda Pugh Temple of the home. A son and daughter,

along with their spouses; Mac and Drew Temple, of Sparta, NC; Tara and Brandon Hanson of Piney

Creek, NC; 3 grandchildren; Ally Hanson, Delia Hanson and Graham Temple. A sister, Shirley Temple

Hoyle and husband, Bob of Winston-Salem. Don is also survived by 5 additional children; Teresa

Thompson (Steve), of Ayden, NC; Kelly Wagoner (Todd), of Kissimmee, FL; Sandy Shank (Greg), of Cary;

Donna Temple, of Asheville, NC; Bruce Temple, of Jonesville, NC; 3 grandchildren; Paul Shank, Jillian

Davis (Staton), Jesse Spainhour; and 3 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and special friends.

Dr. Temple lived a very full, active and blessed life. He was a successful optometrist for 60 years running

his own private practice for most of his career. Having offices throughout the years in Ashe, Alleghany,

Wilkes, Watauga, Yadkin and Surry counties, Don touched many lives through his work. Prior to starting

his career, Don served his country in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman during Korean

Conflict. Don then attended and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and Southern College of Optometry

where he was a Valedictorian of his class. In addition to his career, Don was involved in many religious

and civic organizations. He was a former Yadkin County Commissioner, a past chairman of Hoots

Memorial Hospital board of trustees, President for the Jonesville Arlington Lions Club and an active

Gideon for over 30 years with Gideons International. In 1984, he helped start the Alleghany Chapter of

Gideons and remained a member and Lay speaker, traveling to many churches to spread God’s word.

Upon moving to the mountains, Dr. Temple became involved in Disabled American Veterans where he

served as commander for the Ashe county Chapter. Don was a faithful member of Scottville Baptist

Church where he was involved in numerous building projects over the years. He had a talent for

designing and building structures from beginning to end.

There was never a dull moment in Don’s life. Aside from his career and civic duties, his personal life also

reflected what an amazing man he was. His love for his grandchildren was never ending and they

brought joy to his life every day. Collecting antique cars was a true passion of his along with getting his

hands on any building project around. The only thing to pull him away from his passions was the chance

to watch his Carolina Tar Heels or Carolina Panthers play. You could count on Don to have the joke or

wisecrack to always lighten the mood or make you smile no matter the situation. His unique sense of

humor spread his inner happiness to all those around him. He was a loving husband, father and

grandfather and he will be missed by all.

The family will receive friends Friday, June 15, 2018 from 6:00pm-8:00pm and a Funeral will be held on

Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 12:00pm, both at Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson, NC, Dr.

Temple will be laid to rest at Mt Zion UMC, Piney Creek, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made

to: The Gideons International, Alleghany Camp, PO Box 1891, Sparta, NC 28675 or Scottville Baptist

Church, ℅ Mary Jones, 10227 Hwy 113, Piney Creek, NC 28663.