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  • Don Burpee - 1956 - 2015

    Donnie B joined Thunder Row in March of 2011. From his first day here, he was all about the bass. He used to send me private messages all the time, just to tell me how glad he was to be a part of the family.

    He made friends with everybody, due to his unwavering enthusiasm and honest, sincere personality. He quickly learned that our forum here was a place of support. It didn't matter if you progressed through the lessons quickly, or moved more slowly; in his case, a lot of the hurdles in advancing were due to his ongoing health problems.

    But those problems never stopped Donnie from enjoying the camaraderie around here. He knew he was welcome, and that nobody was going to judge him or heap criticism on him. Everybody encouraged him to have fun with the lessons and focus on the enjoyment more than the progress.

    We all know how the story has turned out, and each of us will remember him in our own way; we will hold him in our hearts as a man who embraced the true spirit of playing the bass, and enjoying music in general. The true spirit of the bass is in the love for its wonderful voice and the pairing of the musician with that voice. Donnie felt that connection and as such was a true musician in his soul.

    I don't know how many of you knew he had a Facebook page. His family has taken it down now, but Brenda was kind enough to save two of my favourite pictures from that page. They weren't bass-related, but spoke of his other big interests!

    Enjoy them, and celebrate the life of our friend.




    Comments 30 Comments
    1. TobiasMan's Avatar
      TobiasMan -
      RIP Donnie. A big man with a great big spirit and a heart full of fight!

      Blessed to have "known" him.
    1. stantonl's Avatar
      stantonl -
      So sorry to hear this, Donnie will be surely missed! I am thankful for having the opportunity to connect with him here through Thunder Row. My deepest condolences go out to his family. RIP Brother!
    1. line6bassman's Avatar
      line6bassman -
      Me 2 TM!! See ya in the big band bass section some day!

      Line6bassmanTR
    1. DaveB's Avatar
      DaveB -
      Donnie never gave up on his desire to learn to play bass guitar even though he had several interruptions to his lessons due to his health problems. That first picture shows me where that determination came from.

      My deepest condolences to his family. Rest In Peace, Marine.
    1. brian_primrose's Avatar
      brian_primrose -
      Quote Originally Posted by TobiasMan View Post
      RIP Donnie. A big man with a great big spirit and a heart full of fight!

      Blessed to have "known" him.
      Well said.
      Brian
    1. thunderman's Avatar
      thunderman -
      That's not thunder in the distance - it's Donnie showing off! God bless, friend, and thanks!
    1. ArtLiestman's Avatar
      ArtLiestman -
      I had many interactions with Don and was always happy to see his postings. The determination with which he faced his health challenges was inspirational. He will long be remembered by those he touched on Thunder Row.
    1. line6bassman's Avatar
      line6bassman -
      UGhhhhhh.... How ever you say that.... Miss you You big teddy bear....
    1. PaulUK's Avatar
      PaulUK -
      So sorry to read this.

      So so glad to have known this inspirational man.

      I'll miss you my friend.

      Paul
    1. horacet's Avatar
      horacet -
      So so sorry to hear this. I didn't know Donnie like a lot of you here but his posts were an are still inspirational to me whether it has to do with the bass or his great outlook despite what he was going through. May God bless his family. RIParadise brotha!
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      I just wanted to add something about Donnie that (I think) nobody here knows. He first joined us as a non-owner of the TMBG course. I guess he had dropped a line to David and Barb, where he told them about having stage four renal cancer. So, even though he hadn't bought the course, he was a Registered User. We have quite a few people among us like that - folks who are simply valued members, even though they haven't bought the course.

      Anyway, David contacted me and asked if I could subtly acquire Donnie's address, so they could send him a small gift. I brought it up with Donnie in an email, telling him that sometimes we just like to send the occasional gift to people who demonstrate enthusiasm in the forum discussions.

      What David and Barbara did with that address information was to mail him his own copy of TMBG. I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed and happy he was. He said the best way he could show his gratitude was to learn to play the bass, and hopefully pass on that knowledge to someone else one day. He said it felt like his birthday and Christmas all rolled into one.

      David and Barb have huge hearts. When they gifted TMBG to Donnie, the air was alive and swelling with kindness; their gesture motivated me to make sure I followed their example in all ways.

      You see, Donnie's influence reached us all, in amazing ways not necessarily known to the public. I'm just grateful to have been allowed to be part of such a generous act.
    1. david's Avatar
      david -
      Barb and I often remark to one another that TMBG has introduced us to some of the most wonderful people in the world. "What is it about bass players?" Barb asked once, early on, "They're all wonderful!" That opinion has been reinforced time and again in the years since. We are pleased to have had the privilege of easing Donnie's final years in a very small way, thankful to have been introduced to him, and honored and inspired by his example to us through the dark days of his illness. Donnie no longer needs our prayers, they will be directed toward his family, to whom go our condolences. Thank you for sharing him with us.
    1. Bassix's Avatar
      Bassix -
      Quote Originally Posted by Elmeaux View Post
      I just wanted to add something about Donnie that (I think) nobody here knows. He first joined us as a non-owner of the TMBG course. I guess he had dropped a line to David and Barb, where he told them about having stage four renal cancer. So, even though he hadn't bought the course, he was a Registered User. We have quite a few people among us like that - folks who are simply valued members, even though they haven't bought the course.

      Anyway, David contacted me and asked if I could subtly acquire Donnie's address, so they could send him a small gift. I brought it up with Donnie in an email, telling him that sometimes we just like to send the occasional gift to people who demonstrate enthusiasm in the forum discussions.

      What David and Barbara did with that address information was to mail him his own copy of TMBG. I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed and happy he was. He said the best way he could show his gratitude was to learn to play the bass, and hopefully pass on that knowledge to someone else one day. He said it felt like his birthday and Christmas all rolled into one.

      David and Barb have huge hearts. When they gifted TMBG to Donnie, the air was alive and swelling with kindness; their gesture motivated me to make sure I followed their example in all ways.

      You see, Donnie's influence reached us all, in amazing ways not necessarily known to the public. I'm just grateful to have been allowed to be part of such a generous act.
      Really warms my heart to read this...what an awesome thing to do! Donnie certainly lived up to his end of the bargain and was an inspiration to us all. May he rest in peace.
    1. line6bassman's Avatar
      line6bassman -
      Quote Originally Posted by david View Post
      Barb and I often remark to one another that TMBG has introduced us to some of the most wonderful people in the world. "What is it about bass players?" Barb asked once, early on, "They're all wonderful!" That opinion has been reinforced time and again in the years since. We are pleased to have had the privilege of easing Donnie's final years in a very small way, thankful to have been introduced to him, and honored and inspired by his example to us through the dark days of his illness. Donnie no longer needs our prayers, they will be directed toward his family, to whom go our condolences. Thank you for sharing him with us.
      Thanks David my friend and inspector guy!
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Someone's got a bit of a tribute page going for Donnie. You can type a message, send flowers, cards, etc.

      http://www.pagetheusfuneralhome.com/...#!/TributeWall
    1. TobiasMan's Avatar
      TobiasMan -
      Thanks for posting that, Elmeaux.
    1. Thomas Kievit's Avatar
      Thomas Kievit -
      This makes me extremely sad to read

      Although I only knew him via Thunderrow, Don was a very nice and humble man. I'm very happy that I did had some contact with him, though it was only digital.

      As for now, I can only say that I wish he will rest in peace and I wish his family all the best in this hard time.

      Thomas
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Today is the day of Donnie's funeral. 10:00 am Florida time, so I guess it's already underway.

      As listed on the tribute page I posted, it says:

      "A funeral service with military honors is planned for 10 AM – Friday, July 17, 2015 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida."

      Military Honours. Beautiful.

      RIP, my Brother. See you on the other side.
    1. kimgee's Avatar
      kimgee -
      I have been by that cemetery many times, and it is very nice. It should be a good resting spot for our friend Donnie.
      It is a very rainy day here in central Florida.
      Sleep well friend.
      You earned your rest.
    1. line6bassman's Avatar
      line6bassman -
      Donnie my Storm Trooper friend! I'll see ya when I get in the big bass band up yonder!! Singing Amazing Grace!

      Line6bassman
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