Donald “Don” L. Damme, age 78, of Springfield, Missouri, went to be with the Lord on December 2, 2025. He passed away peacefully at his home in Springfield. Don was born to Frank and Edith (Tribble) Damme on January 11, 1947, in Armona, California. He was the oldest of three boys and is survived by his two younger brothers, Michael and Lawrence.

Don graduated from Hanford Union High School in 1964 and soon after (1966) he became a member of the United States Marine Corps and proudly served in Vietnam and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as  a Legal Chief. After several years of sales and a previous marriage, Don met the woman he loved before he even knew her, Mary Therese Smith, in Houston, Texas. He met her while selling her a new 1999 Saturn. They were friends and spoke often when she brought her car in for service. Their first date was on St. Patrick’s Day 2000 and the rest is history. Don and Mary moved to Reno, Nevada, living there for 15 years, then on to Redding, California, for four years, and finally ended up in Springfield in 2019. Don enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his new bride, Mary, in all sorts of activities and traveling, especially their trip to Israel and Greece.

Don will be missed deeply, but wonderful memories will live forever in the hearts of his loving family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Damme; daughter, Kira Thomas and her husband, Mark; son, Kriston Damme; brother, Michael Damme and his wife, Marsha; and brother, Lawrence Damme and his wife, Erin. Don also leaves behind many other caring relatives and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his aunts and uncles.

Don will be laid to rest with full military honors on January 9, 2025, 2:00 pm, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Don on Saturday, January 10, 2025, 11:00 am, at Ozark Full Gospel Church in Ozark, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri.

The sun shall no longer be your light by day,

nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you,

but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,

and your God your glory,

your sun shall no longer go down,

nor shall your moon withdraw itself,

for the Lord will be your everlasting light,

and the days of your mourning shall be ended.

Isaiah 60-19-20 NKJV