DONALD FAWCETT HOWELL BOATNER

Daytona Beach Shores

October 8, 1933 - July 31, 2021

Born in Brooklyn NY, October 8, 1933, Don Boatner passed away peacefully at Hospice of Ormond on July 31, 2021, at the age of 87.

Don loved growing up in the Big Apple, and the day after his high school graduation from Brooklyn Tech he headed south to Daytona Beach, FL. to continue his amazing life journey. He married his lifelong love Carol McLean Boatner and they raised 4 children together, Brian, Holly, Mark and Barry.

Don was driven to succeed and with his only sibling David they founded the Pinewood Trailer Park in Ormond Beach.  Don joined the Army, so he and Carol moved to Georgia to serve our country. After his military service they moved to Idaho for a few years then back to Daytona where he founded Roads & Runways Striping Service, Inc.  He found his niche striping airport runways and his company was soon striping airfields around the world, from Thule AFB in Greenland, Hong Kong, Guam, Azores, Honduras, South America, Majuro, Midway, Guantanamo Bay, Area 51, and all 50 states.  Hawaii was his favorite place and second home where he striped every airfield on all the islands many times and owned several properties there.  He especially loved having his wife and children work and travel with him around the world together. He earned the title "World's Greatest Runway Striper" in more ways than one.  He loved to travel and enjoyed visiting the many beautiful islands, mountains, national parks and beaches around the world.  "No place too far" he would say.

Don was hard-working, organized, generous, well-read and knowledgeable (except computers) and was amazed by how much Alexa knows!  He generously supported a vast variety of charities and organizations to help make the world a better place for all.  He and Carol also loved and lived in Las Vegas where they visited and supported The Lion Habitat Ranch, one of his favorites, a great place to donate in his honor.

Don was a tough and astute businessman, husband, father, grand-father, great grandfather, and friend to many.  He beat cancer many times but not the last.  "It is what it is" he would say bravely and at the end he knew what he wanted, a comfortable bed, a good night's sleep, and to die peacefully knowing he loved and took great care of his family.  In his memory, have a cold glass of milk and a whole bag of Oreo's, his favorite snack and sometimes a meal!

Survivors include his devoted wife of 66 years, Carol M. Boatner, his sons Brian, Mark, and Barry, daughter and son-in-law Holly and Bud Stephens, all from the Daytona area. He enjoyed and loved his 13 grandkids, Lindsay, Nicolas, Ben, Julie, Kevin, Jake, Brady, Dillon, Sam, Luke, Allison, Thor and Major, and 7 great grandkids.  He is predeceased by his only brother, David, and his parents Carolyn and David Boatner.

There will be no service, just say a little prayer for eternal peace and for the country that he loved.  He had a knack for always getting that front row parking spot so mention his name and you'll probably get that lucky spot too!  We're sure he got that primo spot in Heaven!

Condolences may be shared with the family here on our online guestbook ( www.cardwellfuneral.com )