- Date Of Birth: December 5, 1926
- Date Of Death: March 5, 2019
- State: Georgia
Donald Goss Van Houten was born in Newnan December 5, 1926 and was the son of the late Thomas Embry and Mary Dorothy Davis Van Houten. Donald’s father was an automobile mechanic, by trade, and this interest in mechanics would also carry over into Donald’s life. He owned and operated Van’s Auto Parts store in Newnan for many years. Donald graduated from Newnan High School but registered for the draft when he was only 15 years old and served in the Navy during World War II.
He met the lady who would complete his life in Margaret Elizabeth Lazenby. For the next 54 years, they were inseparable, for, if you saw one of them, the other was close by. After Donald’s retirement from the auto parts store, he and Margaret operated the Downtown Mini Storage. Donald was steadfastly devoted as a husband, father, businessman and friend. A large part of Donald’s life centered around his involvement in their family’s church affiliations. They were actively involved in Elim Baptist Church and later Newnan First United Methodist Church.
Donald was a man not given to great fanfare but went through life quietly going about his business doing what needed to be done; helping friends who needed his help and always with a quiet smile for the humor he found in life. To have Donald as a friend, was to be assured that a helping hand was never far away. Donald’s and Margaret’s life circle was made complete by the birth of their daughter Lisa, who would marry Jim Hines. Jim came with the bonus of his children, James A. Hines and Angela Hines Hendrixon and their families. Donald is also survived by his sister-in-law, Joanne Lazenby. His brothers, Thomas Van Houten, Jr. and Robert Davis Van Houten preceded him in death.
