Our Heavenly Father welcomed our beloved Donald “Don” Chamblee Jr. into His eternal kingdom on Thursday, November 13, 2025, when he passed unexpectedly while on a work trip in New Albany, Ohio.
Donald Vance Chamblee, Jr. was born on March 12, 1966, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Dr. Donald Sr. and Barbara Pickett Chamblee. He was welcomed as the youngest child by his three sisters—Karen, Diane, and Laura. After graduating from Myers Park High School, Don attended North Carolina State University, where he earned his degree in Civil Engineering with a construction concentration. During his time at NC State, he built his parents’ dream beach home at North Litchfield Beach, SC. This home reflects both his skill and his generous heart.
Don began an accomplished career after graduating in 1988. He served as an Office Engineer at Kissinger Campo & Associates, Corp. from March 1996 to December 1997. In January 1998, he became the Public Works Operations Manager for Lee County, a role he held until 2007. During his time in Lee County, Don met the love of his life, Dawn, and together they welcomed their first three children: Russell, Jade, and Norah.
The Chamblee family later moved to Anderson, SC, where Don served as the Public Works Director until July 2010. It was there that their family was completed with the birth of their fourth child, Stella. Don went on to serve as the Deputy Public Works Director–County Engineer for Richland County until April 2012, before returning to his home state of North Carolina, where the family has lived ever since. While in Denver, NC, Don served as Public Works Director for Lincoln County until August 2021. He then became the Utilities Director for the City of Rock Hill, SC, serving until April 2024, before beginning his most recent role as Senior Project Manager at CTL Engineering, Inc. in July 2024.
Don was the quintessential family man. He made it a priority to be at every swim meet, dance recital, celebration, or milestone. His dedication and love shaped the lives of his children in ways that will never fade. North Litchfield Beach held a special place in Don’s heart as he spent his favorite holidays, sunrises, and sunsets with the people he loved most. To his friends, coworkers, and even those meeting him for the first time, Don was a steady, warm, and uplifting presence. His kindness, humility, and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew him.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Dawn McGary Chamblee, and their four cherished children: Russell Vance, Jade Catherine, Norah Dawn, and Stella Patrice. He is also survived by his father, Dr. Donald Vance Chamblee, and his sisters Karen Altenpohl (Bill), Diane Gohsman, and Laura Chamblee (Tom), along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Barbara Pickett Chamblee.
The family will receive friends and family at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The Family requests everyone be seated by 3:45 p.m. for eulogies to begin, prior to the Funeral Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 537 N NC16 Business Hwy, Denver, NC 28037.
A gathering for food and fellowship will immediately follow at the Rescue Squad Park Pavilion, 7819 Galway Lane, Denver, NC 28037 — a special place to the Chamblee family, as Don helped design the pavilion while serving as the Public Works Director for Lincoln County.
Flowers may be delivered to Holy Spirit Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association in Don’s memory.
So sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers are with you, Don and your family❤️❤️❤️
Dear Dawn, Russell, Jade, Norah and Stella, my most heartfelt condolences go out to you. Donald was an exemplary family man who thought the world of you all. I share your grief, not only because he was my dear beloved cousin, but also because the world has lost a kind, gentle and considerate human being.
I’m very sorry for the family’s loss. Don was always a delight to visit with that we did not get enough of. He was quite the family historian and we would always share new nuggets when we found them. He will surely be missed.
Skip Pickett
Dawn I am so very sorry for you loss
You are in my prayers and thoughts if there is anything I can do for you
Please let me know
Hugs my beautiful friend and prayers for you and your family
I’m sorry Dawn and kids. This loss is tremendous. Donald will be deeply missed. I feel blessed to have had him as my cousin. I’m left with many happy memories of earlier times. Rest in peace, sweet cousin.
Praying for the Chamblee family after the loss of this incredible man.
Dawn…my heart goes out to you and your precious family. Don sounds like a tremendous gentle. kind, loving and devoted family man. Prayers of comfort and peace for you and your family 🙏❤️🙏
I am so very sorry for your loss – Don was a very good person. I worked with him in his Office Engineer days in Fort Myers.
Dawn and family, although I never met Don, I had heard about him from my Niece and her husband Scott what a wonderful person he was. I wish I could have met him, and your lovely children. But my thoughts and may prayers are there for you and your whole family. With love and sympathy. Jenifer Williams
Dawn and Family, although I never met Don, I had heard about him from my Niece and her husband Scott what a wonderful person he was. I wish I could have met him, and your lovely children. But my thoughts and prayers are there for you and your whole family. With love and sympathy.
Jennifer Wiliams
Dear Dawn –
We have always enjoyed seeing you, Don, the kids, and sharing our mutual love of boxers while playing on the beach in N Litchfield. Gary, Zen, and I are sending you love and strength during this difficult time. Hoping you and your family can find comfort in the beautiful memories and legacy you’ve created together. When you’re back at the beach I’m here if you need a walk or doggy play date.
Donald helped me in many ways more than once. He was always ready to solve problems and he was good at it. Dawn, your family is precious and I am so sorry to see you suffer this loss. Our children are our legacy and you and DV can be proud. I am certain there is a heaven and DV is there now. It is the loved ones left behind that hurt. And he will be missed.
Don always kept my husband and I in the loop on the activities of the kids and Dawny. Don made sure everyone and everything was taken care of. His selflessness , love , friendship and laughter will always be remembered. We will miss him dearly. Sandra and Jeff And Funtasz Family.
Don and my friendship started about 25 year ago. We both worked for Lee County Government (Fort Myers Florida) but in different Departments. When we met for the first time it was like two good friends that hadn’t seen each other in a while. Our friendship remained strong, even after Dawn and Don moved to North Carolina, we still talked frequently on the phone. Don was eager to help anybody with any problem that they might have, especially if it was in the engineering or construction field. It wasn’t a job to him, it was fun.That’s just the way he was. He was a good man. He was very intelligent, compassionate and caring. When we would talk, we would talk mostly about work and family and share pictures. I always enjoyed the beach pictures and the deer in their yard. And when the kids had friends over I would get a picture of burgers on the grill. I last spoke with Don the night before his passing. It is painful and hard to understand why this happens. Thankfully, God has a way to heal the pain as time passes. Dawn God bless you and your family at this sad time. 🙏
I’ve always cherished the time that we had on Andalusian as neighbors. Don and I kept up with each other over the years and had talked here and there. He was just someone I really thought a lot of and really wish I had more time with. There’s not many people like Don. My heart is broken for you and the children and if there’s anything the West’s can do please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Dear Dawn and family,
We were very sorry to hear of your loss with Don’s passing. While it’s been a number of years since we were your neighbors there on the cul-de-sac, we have fond memories of you and the kids when they were young, and of course, Don, who we worked with at Lincoln County, and who was always a warm and helpful neighbor to us on many occasions. You might even remember the time that Don responded twice in the middle of the same night to our security system alarm, while we were out of town. We always have had great respect and appreciation for Don and your family, and are in prayer for you at this time.
Dawn and Family. We are so sorry for your loss. We knew Don for many many years – first as a vendor and then as a friend. He always had a kind word to say – and always exuded genuine interest in how we were doingm both professionally and personally. Many times he found ways to help our small company – which gave us both plenty of opportunities to stay in touch. It’s how we first met him. And then you and the kids. Our prayers are with him and with you are your family.
Donald was a master at coming up with ideas on the spur of the moment and making memorable moments out of them. No prior planning necessary. Donald knew how to enjoy the little things in life. He taught me to embrace the unexpected. As I grew older I realized that the adventures I had with Donald have become an integral part of the collection of memories that I hold very dearly.
Donald introduced me to specific techniques on how to play in the snow: how to make snowballs and snow angels and how build a snowman. He was so precise in building things. I’ll never forget the weekend he spent in Miami at my mother’s house. He built a wooden deck for her … from scratch … in two days! I was his proud assistant. That was 30+ years ago and the deck is still as sturdy as the day he built it! It’s the spur of the moment, unplanned activities that create precious memories. There was another time when Donald decided to remodel the bathroom in my condo in Miami. It took a few more trips to Miami to complete the project, but he made sure it was done to perfection. During another visit to Miami we started playing cards after dinner (Spades). At around 3:00 a.m. we realized we had been playing most of the night. So, we decided, oh what’s another few hours. And that’s the time we turned a simple card game into an all-nighter! Another memorable adventure that came up unexpectedly was a road trip that Donald, Mike, Virginia and I took to the Florida Keys. Donald came up with the idea on the spur of the moment and suggested we go camping. “But, what about a tent and sleeping bags?”, I said. And his answer was, “I happen to have a tent and a couple of sleeping bags in my car. I even have an inflatable floating mattress we can use.” So, off we went to the Florida Keys. That was the first time I had ever been camping and I’ve loved camping ever since. Speaking of road trips, I drove to Charlotte in my brand-new 1986 Honda Prelude to visit Uncle Don and Aunt Barbara for a few days. Donald said, “I bet you’d enjoy driving your car on hairpin curves.” So, he suggested we drive over to see Karen and Mary Beth. Somewhere along the way Donald spotted a Krispy Kreme bakery with its flashing sign that hot doughnuts were available NOW. He said, “Oh, we have got to get some!” I can’t believe we ate the entire dozen in one sitting! They were so good, we couldn’t stop eating them! After visiting Karen and Mary Beth for the day, Donald and I headed back to Charlotte. But we drove back on less traveled roads looking for the infamous hairpin curves! With Donald’s guidance and his ability to read a map, I became an expert at driving on hairpin curves! As we approached Greensboro, I said, “Oh, I want to drive around the UNCG campus!” (my alma mater). So, we did. Then, he said, “Since we visited your old neighborhood, let’s go to High Point to see where Dad grew up.” High Point was our next destination on our tour across the state. We finally arrived in Charlotte some five or six hours later than expected. Needless to say, Don and Barbara were worried sick about us! There were no cell phones back then, and finding a payphone was the last thing on our mind. Donald was also quite savvy in repurposing things, such as large moving boxes. After he and Dawn and the kids moved to another city, he offered the boxes to me because he knew that Mike, Mary Belle and I were getting ready to relocate to North Carolina from Miami. I made a quick trip to his house to collect the boxes. By the time we were done loading up my van with the boxes and packing paper, both of which he had carefully flattened, there was no room left except in the passenger seat! Those boxes and packing paper were used again a few years later for my Mom’s move to North Carolina, and then again when we moved from Summerfield to Greensboro. And even after that, I gave some boxes and paper back to Donald for the last time he and his family moved. I learned a lot from Donald and I will forever cherish the moments we spent together.
Rest in peace, D.V., my dearest cousin.
“Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.” Mr. Rogers
Momma loved to tell this story about my baby brother, Donald. When he was around 10, she was repainting all the doors in the upstairs hall. She asked Donald to remove the door knobs. I think there were 7 doors. Donald followed along behind her and put the door knobs back in place as they dried. When he got to the last door he stopped and said, “Mom, you need to put the last door knob in place.”
Mom replied, “I’m too tired, just go ahead and finish.”
Donald replied, “Mom, I need to teach you how to do it, I won’t always be around to do these things.”
That was Donald…the helper. He truly would do anything for any of us. He was a kind, thoughtful and gentle man, always helping. His passing has left a huge hole in out family that can never be replaced. I love you Donald. You will always be in my heart. RIP