Grief is the price we pay for love (Queen Elizabeth ll)

The family and friends of Donald Wayne Minarich are feeling an enormous grief today because of the enormous love they felt for this truly wonderful man. Grief is the price we pay for love.

The Sierra foothills community of Grass Valley was Don’s home from his birth on March 1, 1943, until he moved to the big city of Sacramento after he returned from his service in the Navy in 1961. His parents, John and Millie Minarich, provided a loving environment for their children Bob, Judy and Don. They set an example of honesty, fairness, pride and hard work that served as the foundation for the way Don lived his life.

It is said we wear many hats during our lives, and in Don’s case, he literally wore many hats during his life. The hats he chose to wear reflected things in his life that were important to him.

The great outdoors was important to Don. He loved sitting next to a campfire under an umbrella of stars. His closet was filled with hats stamped with fish, deer, various birds and logos from sporting goods companies.

He had a collection of hats from the Crystal Cream and Butter company where he spent 33 years in the shipping department.

Don always had a dog, and his favorite breed was labradors. He tried to teach them to retrieve pheasants when he went hunting. Although, to be honest, out of all his dogs only one figured out what she was supposed to do. Most of his dogs ran around the fields picking up other hunters’ birds.

He was proud to wear his hats that showed his patriotism and love of his country. There were many hats with the American flag, some with the Navy emblem and others honoring the Hancock air craft carrier where he worked on the flight deck.

There wasn’t a hat made that could reflect the love he had for his family. Don had great pride in being Dad, Papa, Uncle Don and Papa Don. The beaming smile on his face when he was around his family was all anyone needed to see to know how devoted he was to them.

He thought he didn’t need a “Happy Husband” hat, but that changed when Carol made him wear a hat with a 30 on it to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Don was 83 when he passed away on September 12, 2026. Don’s passing has left a deep wound in the hearts of the many people who loved him. In time the wound will not be as deep, and we will be left with our memories of his smiling face, his sky blue eyes and his booming voice saying “Mighty Fine” when he felt all was right in his world.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob and his sister Judy.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Carol; his daughter Denise Leatherwood, his son Damon Minarich (Cris) and Carol’s children John Langley and Donna Holtz. He had 7 grandchildren; Jacob Leatherwood (Jessica), Riley Leatherwood, Ella Leatherwood, Madison Minarich, Lucas Minarich, Axel Holtz and Magnus Holtz. His nieces and nephews included Kristina Tallent (Andres), John Minarich (Beverly), Trish Nelson (Mike), Becky Jeffries (Dave), Shawn Johnston (Gina) and Brianna Johnston and many grand nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his cousin Bill Minarich and his dear friend from childhood Gordon Stephens (Tannie), and not to be forgotten is the one many thought was the love of his life…his yellow labrador, Blondie.

Don’s Celebration of Life will be held on September 26th at 4:00 pm at the Roseville Moose Lodge— 506 Lincoln Street in Roseville.

Friends are asked to make a donation in Don’s name to the charity of their choice.