In loving memory of
Donald Kessler

• July 14, 1931
• -
• June 16, 2024

Donald Kessler, 92, of the Villages, Florida died peacefully on June 16, 2024 with his family by his side.

He was born in Pasadena California to Charles and Muriel (Pidcock) Kessler.
Don was a loving husband to his wife of 67 years, Norma (Thurston) Kessler and a loving Dad to his daughters Vicki (Kessler) Vaillancourt and Donna (Kessler) Huffstater.

Don was a veteran of the Korean War, his military time spent in Germany.
He was a graduate of UC Berkeley where he taught German.

Don was a passionate and beloved educator, first as a teacher then as a parent, and also as an elementary school principal. He shared his love of nature with his own children along with his students. He ensured the children were good citizens and capable writers. In the mid 1960’s, he had one of his classes write letters to the state assembly members in California to protect the endangered California Condor. This was a way to learn about government, effective writing skills, and to protect the environment. Their efforts were successful, a resolution was passed by the state assembly and the California Condor is no longer endangered.

Don had a lifelong love of nature and the Sierra Nevada Mountains where you would often find him skiing, fishing, hiking and kayaking with his friends and family.

Don was always smiling, encouraging, kind and thoughtful.

Don is survived by his wife Norma (Thurston) Kessler, his daughters Vicki (Guy) Vaillancourt, Donna (Kirk) Huffstater and 4 grandchildren; Ryan (Janel) Martin, Anna Martin, Tessa Huffstater and Kyle (Alexandra) Huffstater.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Colony Recreation Center from 12:30 – 3:30 on Sunday, July 28th.

Don Kessler’s final resting place will be the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Sequoia Conservation Fund, sequoiaparksconservancy.org