Donald Alexander Payer

Donald Alexander Payer, 76, of St Clair Shores passed away on September 30, 2022. He was born July 01, 1946 at Cottage Hospital of Detroit. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jeanne (Haase) Payer, proud dad of three daughters: Chantelle Marshall, Tiffany (Jason Bauer) Payer, Donelle (Matt) Grant, his five grandchildren: Daegan Marshall, Lillian Marshall, Bella Grant, Braedon Grant, and Maxton Grant. He is also survived by his sister, Jacqueline Arnold, many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Donald B and Lillian (Buck) Payer, and his sister Joyce Roxy.

Donald (Don, Donnie, Little Joe) was a lifelong resident of St Clair Shores, graduating from Lakeshore High School in 1964. He grew up one block away from his future wife, whom he courted doggedly. He was an avid collector of S Gauge trains – not only collecting, but restoring/ repairing them as a side job. Having three daughters didn’t deter him from train-washing them…they each have multiple train sets of their own and were often persuaded to join him at train meets or the Toy Train Museum in Pennsylvania.

Growing up near Lake St Clair, he was a proficient swimmer, ice skater, and shared his love of ice boating with his dad. While dreaming of being a train engineer one day, he ultimately attended Lawrence Institute of Technology (Southfield) to become a mechanical engineer in a booming automotive era, and where his artistic abilities, tenacity, and attention for detail thrived.

He married his dream girl, Jeanne, in 1967 and was soon drafted for the Vietnam War and had to leave LIT. He was stationed at Frankfurt am Main, Germany as a medic, and also worked in the dispensary. His oldest daughter was born at the base hospital, and they lived with a lovely German family in Gelnhausen until 1971.

Don worked as a metal model maker both for his sister and brother-in-law, but also at the General Motors Tech Center for over 20 years. He had a love of toy trains, music, art, cars, entertaining friends and family, and of the finer things of life. He was always dressed for the occasion, had some groovy dance moves, and had a great love of Neil Diamond and the Beach Boys. He could be counted on for endless dad jokes, his crazy eyebrows, and his horrible impressions of actors or his favorite movie, Short Circuit. He was a huge fan of the Hallmark Channel and would watch and rewatch movies ad nauseum.

Don will be remembered for wearing all his emotions on his sleeve, but ultimately for being fiercely loyal to his family, and to his dedication to his hometown of St Clair Shores.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 05, 2022 from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 25800 Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores.

Funeral Service 10:00am, White Chapel, Chapel of Memories, 621 W Long Lake Rd, Troy, MI

In lieu of flowers, donations made to St Jude would be appreciated by the family.