Donald Lee Cline, 89, of Gold Canyon, Arizona passed away in Peoria, Arizona on May 24, 2021. Donald was born on August 16, 1931 in Akron, Ohio to Frank and Laura (née Peterson) Cline.
Donald joined the United States Navy with his parents’ permission at the age of 17 and served five years during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge as a Radioman First Class – E6, Donald attended Kent State University and worked part time for the B&O Railroad as a telegraph operator.
After graduating from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Donald and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1960. During his teaching career, Donald worked in several school districts in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. He held teaching and administrative positions at Avondale #2 Junior High, Cortez High School, Maryvale High School, Trevor Brown High School, Deer Valley High School, and Desert Sky Middle School. In addition to his teaching duties, Donald “Coach Cline” volunteered as a Football Coach and Girls Basketball Coach. During his time as an educator, Donald expanded upon his own education and received a Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State University. After retirement, Donald continued his passion for teaching by becoming an online lecturer for the University of Phoenix.
Donald loved to go camping with his children and spent many summers in KOA camp sites throughout the United States. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, hiking, and fishing. Donald and his wife Nadine shared their mutual love of golfing throughout their many years of marriage – even if he lost the majority of their games to her. He also loved scuba diving with his best friend of 60 years, Lanny Cope. Donald was a Freemason and active in Job’s Daughters with his daughter Vicki at the Freemason Peoria Lodge #31 in Arizona. He built a cabin with his sons Erik and Todd at Meads Ranch, Arizona. Donald shared his love of Amateur Radio with his son Todd and granddaughter Sabrina. In August 2017, Donald and his son Todd, an Army Veteran, attended the Arizona Honor Flight to the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC.
Donald is proceeded in death by his parents Frank and Laura Cline, his sisters Margaret Jean Armsey and Suzie Mathews, and his loving wife of 25 years, Nadine Bell Cline.
Donald is survived by his children Vicki and William Lieberman, Erik Cline and Christy Garcia, Todd and Jeanine Cline, Kristy and Greg Dufresne, and Michele and Kevin Moloney; his grandchildren Kenneth Cline, Cody Lucas, Rebecca Cline, Haley Lucas, and Sabrina Cline; and his beloved dog Millie as well as many close friends, neighbors, and students.
He will be deeply missed.
Service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Friday, June 4, 2021, at 1pm Located at 23029 North Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85024
Memorials/Donations: Alzheimer’s Desert Southwest Chapter https://www.alz.org/dsw
Thinking of you all as you celebrate Don’s remarkable life.
Not gone,…. he’s just waiting patiently at the end of the trail.
-Joel Wiltgen
What an amazing teacher! I graduated in 81 and still remember his kindness, teaching and coaching.
Mr. Cline was my all time favorite teacher during my time attending Trevor G Browne HS in the seventies. I was his student assistant for two of those years (Government and History). Not only was he a terrific teacher, encouraging my interest in the subjects, he was also a great mentor giving sage advice along the way. Thank you, Mr. Cline. You made a huge difference in my life.