Donald's father, Clarence, married Ida Neitzel. Clarence ran the first bus line between Plattsmouth and Omaha, in 1926, until his retirement in 1961. Donald helped with the family business while he lived in Plattsmouth. He was a WWll Navy Veteran. Donald taught school in Arizona in the 1960's, before settleling in Barstow, CA where he was a music and geography teacher at the Barstow Unified School District from 1968 till he retired in 1979. His wife and children Pamela Cotner, Jesse (Janice) Gomez, and Geralyn Cotner, who resided with her mother, survive him. Also 2 grandchildren, Marissa and marcus Gomez.