Donald James Voyles

Donald James Voyles, 69, of Canton, MI, died at his home on December 9, 2024. He died after a 5-year battle with neuroendocrine tumors (a rare form of cancer). Don was born in Detroit, MI on November 23, 1955, to Robert & Jacqueline Voyles. Don grew up in northwest Detroit with his older brother, and three sisters. He participated in many of the activities and sports sponsored by the neighborhood Youth Activity Council (YAC) and was a member of the boy scouts. Don attended Immaculate Heart of Mary church and grade school. In the 6th grade he transferred to public school. It was at Bow elementary in gym class where he met his future wife when he needed to pick a square dance partner. Who would have guessed that they would end up married and dancing through life together. He graduated from Henry Ford High School in 1973. Most of the weekends during his high school years he could be found working at The Lamplighter restaurant perfecting the art of making breakfast for the early morning or after-bar crowd. After high school he attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. During the summers he worked for Robertson Brothers Pool company and often recalls the time he flooded the ninth green at the Oakland Hills Country Club when cleaning their pool. Don met his wife Beth in 6th grade but began a serious relationship their senior year of high school and they attended the prom together. They were married three years later June 11, 1976, and recently celebrated their 48th anniversary. They began their married life in Marquette, MI where Don was finishing his college education, and their first home was in married housing. They made some wonderful friends during those college years and continue to gather with many of them yearly. Don and Beth lived in the metropolitan Detroit area most of their lives. Their family grew with the addition of two children, Danielle and Billy. Don loved being a dad and was a wonderful father. He attended all their activities; dance recitals, school concerts, pompon performances, soccer games, baseball games, track – you name it he was there front and center. His love for his children has grown and is only matched by the love of his four grandchildren. They can bring a smile to him no matter what else is going on around him. Don began his career in Personnel Management (known later as Human Resources) with Portec in Novi, MI. Over the years he worked for several automotive suppliers with offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, India, Japan and Germany. While working full-time and raising a family Don returned to school and graduated with an MSA from Central Michigan University in 1992. Don ended his full-time career working for the Evangelica Presbyterian Church in 2017 as their director of benefits. Don wasn’t quite ready for full-time retirement, so he became a consultant with Amy Cell Talent for the last 5 years. Many weekends and evenings you could find Don refereeing both youth and adult soccer games. One Memorial Day weekend he refereed 18 games! He served on the board of the Canton Soccer Club for many years. When he was the field director, he often elicited help from his children and their friends to paint goal posts and line the fields. Not sure this was always the fastest or most effective way, but it taught them about community service. If Don wasn’t on a field refereeing soccer he was probably in the stands at “The Big House” watching U of M football. Don was a member of Canton’s Merit Commission for several years in the 1990’s. He was an active member of Ward Church and a member of the Journey Sunday School Class. He and his wife served as presidents of the class for approximately ten years. Over the years Don enjoyed golfing and traveling with family and friends. His work took him to many different locations and sometimes he was able to combine some leisure travel with work trips. One of those combo trips was to France. Don’t ever volunteer to be the navigator in France because he might just fire you when you can’t figure out which way to go because the highways don’t designate north or south. He enjoyed many cruises, both to the Caribbean and on the Danube. Europe was a popular vacation destination for him. In 2016 the family took a trip to Scotland, and he had the opportunity to play golf at St. Andrews with Billy. Another great golf memory is playing golf at Pebble Beach, Spy Glass, Spanish Bay and The Hay with Billy in 2022. When golfing and physical activity had to take a backseat, Don took up building with Legos. Some of the things he built were the U of M “Big House”, a Corvette, a jeep Rubicon, and a McLaren. In his last weeks he built a green Lamborghini over FaceTime with his grandson Bo. Don was at home in the kitchen. If you were looking for a good omelet, Don could fix you one of the best. He also showed his skills one year cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner. One of the family’s favorite requests was for him to make a “Benihana” style dinner. Unlike the restaurant he had everything ready at the same time! Don will be missed for his sense of humor, devotion to his family, and service to the community and church. Don accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Bad Axe in 1984. He served the Lord in various roles over the years, deacon, trustee, treasurer and Sunday School class president. He was an example to many of love and a caring positive attitude. Cancer did not win! He showed all of us how to face an illness with grace, dignity and determination. Don is survived by his wife, Beth, his children, Danielle, and Billy (Lindsey), his grandchildren, Bo, Sunny, J.J., and Cody, his sisters Kathleen Voyles (John Prentice), Marjorie Knurick, and Anne Kinsler (Mike), and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jacqueline Voyles, and his brother John Voyles. The family will gather with friends and exchange memories on Thursday December 12, 2024 from 4pm – 8pm at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home 46401 Ann Arbor Road West Plymouth. A memorial service will be held on Friday December 13, 2024 at 10 AM for a gathering with 11 AM service to follow at Ward Church 40000 Six Mile Rd, Northville. A brief period of visitation will precede the service from 10 -11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to LACNETS (Learn, Advocate, Connect, NeuroEndocrine Society). LACNETS is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information on diagnosis, treatment options, research, and resources for NET patients and caregivers. LACNETS has been an invaluable resource for our family on this journey. Donations can be made at WWW.LACNETS.ORG To share a memory, please use the Share a memory tab on our webpage.

Donald James Voyles

November 23, 1955 - December 9, 2024