Donald Bass

Donald Howard Bass passed on May 19th2024, just shy of his 76th birthday. Loving husband to Joyce Bass for over 26 years. Loving dad to Jessica (Nick) Nordstrand, Kathy Blackwell, Michael (Stephanie) Blackwell and Brent Cloer. Papa/Pop Pop to Dustin Vanderhoff, Michael Blackwell, Matthew Blackwell, Kira Cloer, Olivia Nordstrand, Adam (Hannah) Nordstrand and Andrew Gatteri. Don grew up in Hickman, Kentucky amongst five sisters. He is survived by Jeanie (Roger)Rice, Shelia Parks, Paula (Scott)McAdoo, Pam Caroll all of Union City, TN and Rainy (Roger) Pulley of Crossville, TN. Don’s family in Tennessee includes 8 nieces and nephews, 9 grand nieces and nephews and 2 great-grand nieces. Preceded in death by father Robert Howard Bass and mother Bertie McClure Bowling. Additionally, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and brothers-in-law. Don or Donny as he’s called by many expanded his family when he married the love of his life Joyce. Uncle Donny is survived by Joyce’s sisters and brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews. Don was a hardworking Inspector at Ford Motor Company for over 30 years. Don took great pride in his time he served in the Army including being stationed over in Germany. As many know Don was considered a “Man’s Man” as Joyce would always say. He loved fishing, his simple life on the “farm” in Manistee with Joyce, shooting guns with family, fixing up anything he could get his hands on, cooking for his family including his famous pork butt, coleslaw, pecan pies and beef jerky, helping others out and spending time with his loved ones. What Don loved most and was the proudest of was his family. Don was a dedicated, loving and supportive Dad, Papa/Pop Pop and Uncle who enjoyed sharing his love for fishing, shooting guns, singing, cooking and the occasional game of putt putt or corn hole with his family. Don will be remembered for his selflessness and love for his family especially his wife Joyce. Everyone could see how special their love and relationship were for all these years. Don was also blessed to have a special bond and relationship with his daughter Jessica. You could always see his eyes light up a bit more when she was around. Everyone is going to miss his laugher, voice, one liner and his caring, loving, selfless huge heart of his. Visitation will be held at the O’Brien Sullivan Funeral Home in Novi from 10:00am until 12:00pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the funeral home. Don will be taken to his final resting place at South Lyon Cemetery in South Lyon, MI with miliary honors on Thursday, May 23, 2024, following the service. In honoring Don’s memory, we will carry forward with thankfulness, his legacy of selflessness, love, humor, wisdom and unwavering devotion to family and friends.

Donald Bass

May 30, 1948 - May 19, 2024