Donald Ross Woodhams

Donald Ross Woodhams, 89, of South Haven, passed away Monday, May 1, 2017 at the River Ridge Retirement Community in South Haven. He was born September 24, 1927 to Irving T and Cora (Lammon) Woodhams in Kalamazoo. Don grew up on the Austin Lake Airport, and was a natural with stick and rudder. He loved flying, cars, Florida, and his family. As a certified flight instructor he taught many to fly including his future wife Dormah Gingery. He married Dormah on June 13, 1948 at the First Methodist Church in Kalamazoo. He was later hired by one of his students as a salesperson at a Kaiser automobile dealership in Vicksburg, MI. This became the Ford Mercury Dealership. Donald opened his own Ford Mercury dealership in South Haven in 1972, adding Lincoln in 1980, and retired in 1991. Going back to aviation, he created Great Lakes Aircraft Sales in South Haven as a retirement hobby, and developed an antique car enthusiast “car condo”, in Naples FL. He was an avid aviation enthusiast, instrumental in improving the South Haven Airport, a national senior judge in the Antique Automobile Club of America, a Mason, a member of the South Haven Rotary Club, and the First United Methodist Church in South Haven. Don loved and supported his community and his Country.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his step mother, Dorothy, and by four siblings – Ted (Betty) Woodhams, June (Chuck) Rybnikar, Hazel (Bill) Davis, and Sharon (John)Thomasma.

Donald is survived by his wife and best friend of nearly 69 years, Dormah Woodhams of South Haven, children – Ross (Debbie) and Mark (Michele) Woodhams both of South Haven, grandchildren – Haley, Anna, Jonathon (Katie), and Christopher, and great grandchildren – Rhonin and Roy.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of South Haven with Pastor Virginia Heller officiating. Donald will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Donald’s memory to South Haven Airport Project Fund and the University of Michigan Alzheimer’s Center.