Remembering Don Lemon
Donald Keith Lemon, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Education & Human Development, passed away June 22, 2020, at the age of 85.
Don was born to Hatton O. and Frances (Summers) Lemon on Dec. 3, 1934, the third of three children, in Moberly, Mo. His parents owned a grocery store in Missouri. At 10 years old, Donald was loved as a delivery boy because he would play Old Maids with all the little old ladies in town!
In March 1953, at 18 years old, he eloped with Ann Marlin. However, their parents had to be told of the nuptials shortly after as Ann was asked to move out of the dormitory since she was a married woman. They moved into an apartment over a jewelry store.
As Don continued his college education, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a doctoral degree from the University of Kansas in Educational Administration in 1968.
Along the way, Don and Ann added three children to the family, Gloria Rose (Jerry), Jacqueline Talavera (Edgardo) and Sam Lemon (Delette).
Don’s first teaching job was in a country school in Missouri where he also was the principal. He played ball with his students at recess. In Kansas City, Mo., Don served as principal of two elementary schools.
Upon graduation with his doctoral degree, the family moved to Grand Forks, in 1968, where he began a 39 year career as a professor at the University of North Dakota.
Don’s graduation rate of doctoral students was one of the highest in the School of Education and Human Development at UND. He also ran the National Teacher Corps program in Belcourt, N.D., for the university, which graduated American Indian teachers who returned to their reservations as teachers.
Don was named a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor in 2001. There is a Dons’ Conference Room on the third floor of the Education Building named after Don Lemon and Don Piper, a colleague.
Don committed his life to making the world a better place through education. As a result, he was well known in Grand Forks, the state of North Dakota and even throughout the United States. He couldn’t go anywhere in town without running into someone who knew him. Often that person would share stories with the family of how influential Don had been in their life. He is highly respected in the American Indian communities, as well.
Don loved to fish, hunt, sing, tell long jokes, play racquetball, learn how to do everything on the computer, travel and sometimes answered the phone with, “Kelly’s Pool Hall. Archie, the manager, speaking!” He learned to pilot a single engine airplane and made Christmas a spectacular event for the family.
Don and Ann celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last March. They have three grandchildren, Ivan Talavera (Ruth), Jazmine Talavera (Shane Horning), Justin Rose and three great-grandchildren, Feynix Horning, Anastazia Horning and Vivienne Rose.
Don often ended a telephone conversation with, “Bye for now.” So Don, Dad, Grandpa, bye for now. We love you.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the UND Foundation. Note that the donation is for the Donald K. and Ann M. Lemon Endowment. Mail to UND Foundation Alumni Association, 3501 University Avenue, Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157.
Funeral Service: 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2020 in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Wednesday.
Burial: At a later date in Huntsville Cemetery, Huntsville, MO.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com