Don & Helen Compton

Don T. Compton November 4, 1935 - December 2, 2021 / Helen R. Compton December 31, 1935 - December 5, 2021 Don passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Three days later Helen passed away peacefully surrounded by even more loved ones. Don was born to Dallas and Lucille Compton, a third generation steel mill family, in Donora PA. He attended the University of Pittsburg where he met his lifelong love, Helen. Helen was born to Richard and Helen Swift in Stuebenville Ohio and lived a demanding life on the farm. She attended University of Pittsburg with the intent to become a businesswoman. As fate would have it, she "couldn't resist the funny guy". They married in 1957 and began a family the following year. Don and Helen raised their five children in Cincinnati Ohio. Their lives were dedicated to family, faith, and service to their communities. Through this they created lasting friendships and memories with the good people of Susanna Drive, Groesbeck Methodist Church and the "camping gang", the inimitable community of Vermont Avenue, Friendship United Methodist Church and Wyoming Ohio. Helen and Don performed in community theater, enjoyed tennis, skiing, cards and parlor games. Helen was a gifted singer and during their time in Ohio her gospel group The Charity Four ministered through song. Before the turn of the century, Helen and Don moved to Bend OR where they created another loving home they fondly called Mahoutma and expanded their circle of friends at 1st Presbyterian Church and the PEO. Don and Helen shared a love of the National Parks and traveled to many with both family and friends. Don poured his creativity into his National Park books (including a masterful pop-up book) published by his company, WWWest Inc. Helen became a master gardener and regularly received guests in her magnificent garden. Don and Helen are survived by their children Tom (Keila), Tricia (Jamie Boone), Pamela (Larry "Lorenzo" Tucker), Carrie (Dave Ember) and Leslie (Bruce Johnson) as well as eight grandchildren whom call them Memy and Papu: Nicholas, Natasha (Geroge Perez), Sam, James, Ben, Jalan (Taylor), Drake, and Shannon; and one great grandchild (Amaya). They were predeceased by their daughter-in-law (like a daughter) Ines Tracey Thompson Compton. All who knew them were blessed by their kindness, good humor, great generosity, and loving hearts. Funeral services are pending.

Tributes

Don & Helen Compton

December 2, 2021 - December 5, 2021