CLINE, Donald Marion Michael 1952-2008
Don Cline was born in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sept. 25, 1952, to James and Donnis Cline. He graduated from Alhambra High School in 1970 where he developed his life long love of electronics. Don had a penchant for learning. He delved in depth into all he did and mastered everything he set his mind to.
With the help of his mom he scraped together enough money to get his pilot's license. He eventually became a certified flight instructor and worked hard to obtain his Airline Transport rating. He flew an air ambulance for an Indian reservation for a year in New Mexico.
He was an accomplished cook, starting his career while still in high school as the night manager at Taco Bell making $1.10 an hour and feeding all his friends for free. He was sure the "perks and benefits" significantly increased his actual income. He was a short order cook at Berkshire's Coffee Shop and a chef at North Bank Steak House in Phoenix.
Don planned at an early age to become a police officer. He accomplished his goal by the age of 22 and worked for the Tempe Police Department for eight years. He was noted for writing the most parking tickets in the history of the department when the movie "A Star is Born" was filmed at ASU's football stadium. He got his picture taken for the newspaper as he proceeded to make the department, in one night, the most revenue they had seen in years.
Don always wanted to be an air traffic controller and in 1981 began a career with the Federal Aviation Administration that took him many places and gave him many life long friends. He started out at the Los Angeles ARTCC and then worked at the LA Regional Office. In 1991 he accepted a position as the assistant air traffic manager at the New York TRACON on Long Island and later as a branch manager at the Eastern Regional Office. In 1994, sharing his wife's desire to be closer to family, Don moved to Portland as the assistant air traffic control manager of the PDX ATCT/TRACON. He finished up his FAA career as the Hillsboro ATCT manager and retired on July 3, 2007.
It was in Portland where Don truly became part of his wife's extended family. Having been an only child for most of his life, this environment was sometimes overwhelming for him. However, it didn't take long before he found himself feeling like a real part of something bigger than he had ever had. He was welcomed lovingly into the mix and soon became an integral part of the family, with his technical skills in both electronics and computers constantly in demand. In order to take better care of her, Don moved his mother to Portland in 1994. She peacefully passed away in 1995. Don's father passed away in 1960.
In 1981 Don married Melody Devore. They welcomed their first child Lindsay Suzanne in 1983. Lindsay and Don were close from the beginning and shared a very special bond. Lindsay married Jeremiah Hager in May 2007 and Don proudly walked her down the aisle. They are expecting his first granddaughter, who will be named Hannah Dawn in his honor, this September. His second daughter, Emily Rose arrived in 1989. She brought much joy to her father as they shared traits of a quick wit and good sense of humor. They enjoyed camping and riding ATV's together. Emily will be marrying Carlos Rodriguez, whom Don quickly grew to love, later this year. Don will lovingly be walking Emily down the aisle in spirit.
Don met his soul mate, Toni Watkins, while working in Los Angeles. They married in 1992. Don was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in January 2007. He fought a hard battle against the cancer and in the process became an even better person than he already was. He visited his mother-in-law, Helen Watkins, every day to ensure she was well taken care of. In the process they created a spiritual connection, with Helen innately sensing when Don was not feeling well. He forged an ever-deepening bond with his large extended family including aunts, uncles and cousins. Along with Dan Klupenger, Kurt Peterson and Robin Mennis he was one of the "brothers-in-law". He greatly enjoyed watching his nieces, Danielle and Morgan Klupenger, and his nephews, Theo and Alex Peterson grow up. He seemed to have a unique and special relationship with each of them. Don converted to Catholicism in August 2007. He was confirmed in Christ this year in an inspirational Easter Vigil Mass choosing St. Michael, the patron saint of police officers, as his Confirmation name. He thoughtfully and lovingly picked his sister-in-law, Traci Mennis, to be his sponsor. After their individual retirements, he spent time shopping and going to Starbucks on a near daily basis with his sister-in-law, Teri Peterson. They established an even stronger and lasting friendship during these special outings. He found comfort in his relationship with his sister-in-law, Tami Klupenger. As a RN, he valued her insight on his cancer progression. She patiently listened to all his questions and concerns and skillfully helped ease him through each phase. Don had a great respect for his brother-in-law, Ted Watkins. He looked forward to visiting him in Gold Beach, whenever he had the chance. He had fun helping Ted set up his wireless internet connection at his bookstore in Gold Beach.
On July 3, 2008, Don passed away lovingly surrounded by his praying family whom he loved so much and felt so blessed to have. He is already terribly missed. Just as in the loss of his father-in-law, Jim Watkins in December 2005, a vital link has been broken in the Watkins family chain. We are proud of the life Don led, the hard battle he fought with cancer, the wonderful person he always was and the spectacular person he became. We are blessed to have had him in our lives. We know that he is now in God's loving care and we will see him again one day. Well done Donnie! We love you.
Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Milwaukie at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8. Remembrances may be made to the church in Don's name.
Published in The Oregonian on 7/8/2008.