In loving memory of Donald Borum - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Donald Dean Borum, lately of Eustis, Florida, departed this world peacefully at home on Sunday June 13^th with Jacqueline, his wife and partner of 28 years, at his side. He was 76 years old.

Don, as he was known to family and friends, was born on Valentine’s Day 1945 in Jacksonville, Florida, the third of five children to Otis C. Borum and Lois Barker Borum. He grew up along the banks of the Pottsburg Creek, the St. Johns River, and the Southside neighborhoods of Glynlea, Love Grove, and Arlington, surrounded by a large extended family and countless friends with whom he would remain in touch throughout his life. He was known for his sense of humor, his love of “good, clean fun”—usually boating, water skiing, or car racing—and his dedication to his family, particularly his three sons.

Don was a graduate of the Englewood High School Class of 1963, and regularly attended their reunions. At school he was a drummer in the marching band as well as in a local Jacksonville jazz band. He married his high school sweetheart Anita Anderson in 1964, and their son Matthew was born in 1966. He remained a longtime resident of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, where he raised his children, before relocating to central Florida in the 1990s. In later years Don became the adoptive father to countless cats, dogs, and other beloved pets who came to live out their lives in comfort and luxury at his and Jackie’s Pig Flew Ranch.

He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, where he served his country honorably from 1969 until 1971 at the US base in Athens, Greece. The US Armed Forces and veterans’ issues remained important priorities throughout his life.

Professionally, Don was a skilled marine architect, technician, and business manager. Most of his career was focused on the marine and automotive industries—two of his passions—and he was renowned for his attention to detail, precision, style, and pride in a job well done. He designed and built custom boats for his father’s company, Borum Boats (later Marine America by Borum), which he also raced from time to time. It was there he met his second wife, Diane Hughey. His son Michael was born in 1970, and Marcis followed in 1973. Don later worked for Pacetti Marine of Green Cove Springs, and Lucraft Boats of Ormond Beach before working in the shipping and automotive industries in Jacksonville during the 1980s. In the mid-1990s, he became Harbour Master of Sanford’s Hidden Harbour Marina (now known as Boat Tree Marina)—and met his current wife, Jackie—where he worked until his retirement in 2008. Since then, he could be spotted as Jackie’s faithful sidekick in Jackie’s All-American Pet mobile grooming salon, visiting communities across central Florida, and greeting their loyal customers and their dogs with warmth and kindness. When he wasn’t on the road with Jackie, he could be found taking care of their land, home, and animals, rarely pausing to rest.

Donald is pre-deceased by his parents (d. 2000), his dear brother John Coleman Borum (d. 1964), and his beloved daughter-in-law, Beverly Greene Borum (d. 2017). With his wife Jackie, he is survived by his sons Matthew (granddaughter Hannah K. Borum); Michael (son-in-law Christopher Castellani); and Marcis (daughter-in-law Jennifer Kline Borum and grandson Ryan C. Borum); his three beloved sisters and their spouses, Patricia Borum Drury (Michael Drury), Melinda Borum Ramsey (Jim Ramsey), and Michele Borum Nicklas (Charles Nicklas); his half-brother Marty O. Borum; and dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews—along with a handful of cats and dogs—all of whom will miss him dearly.

There will be no funeral service or interment. A memorial service will be held at a future date, to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donald’s name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, a four-star charity, online at https://pulmonaryfibrosis.org or by calling 1-888-733-6741.