Donald “Don” Claude Piper, 69, loving husband of Catherine O’Shea Piper, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Born in Greenville, SC, he was a son of the late Sam T. and Mary Ellen O’Dell Piper. Don retired from Wildwater Ltd. Longcreek Rafting where he met Catherine, and theContinue Reading
Brownie Rochefort
left a message on January 16, 2023:
Catherine, you honored Donnie in a lovely way. The service was perfect for him. It was nice to meet you and I appreciate your love for a special cousin. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the wonderful memories you and Donnie had together will help you smile again.
Love,
Brownie
Mike Davis
left a message on January 13, 2023:
Don and I ran track together at WHHS in 1969-70. Over the years we would run into one another in Bryson City or as he floated by on the Chattooga. Don always had a quick smile. Life is short, and I know his passing has brought sadness to his family and many friends. Paddle on, Don, and Rest in Peace, my friend.
Bill Mann
left a message on January 12, 2023:
I can recall numerous memories of times spent in my pre-teens with Donnie waterskiing on Lake Hartwell, his father Sam pulling us around the lake and snickering at all the good times we were having. We could have stayed out on that lake all day, never wanting to come back home, never wanting the fun to cease.
Other times spent at the Piper's Mountain Lake cottage were equally as memorable, engulfed in the solitude of nature, the comfort of good food and the laughter of family camaraderie.
But most importantly to me were our shared interests in art and music. You see, Donnie discovered tie-dying when we were in high school and soon taught it to me and we quickly embarked upon creating tie-dyed tee shirt masterpieces which I would then sell in the little shop I had in downtown Greenville. Using his mother's washing machine and sophisticated dyes and techniques, he was better at it than me; but he was always happy to show me how he accomplished the finished result.
Then there was the music. It was the late 60s and music had exploded! We would go to the record store in search of the best they had to offer. But we would never buy the same albums, because we knew that we would swap and share our records with one another. Or, better yet, just go up to his room at home and listen to them together as we talked about art, life, dreams.
And it was Donnie who inspired me to become an architect.
One day in high school we were going through some of his books and he showed me some pictures of Kenzo Tange's work for the gymnasium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. I was so impressed that anyone could design and create such a simple and fluid building out of concrete that I decided I wanted to go into architecture then and there. Had it not been for Donnie sharing that with me, I have no idea in what direction I would have gone.
We don't often get a lot of good friends in life. And especially in our formative years. But Donnie was never just a good friend. He was the best! I couldn't have asked for anyone better.
Catherine M. Piper
left a message on January 11, 2023:
In memory of Donald “Don”
Claude Piper, Catherine M. Piper lit a candle
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Brownie Rochefort
left a message on January 16, 2023:
Catherine, you honored Donnie in a lovely way. The service was perfect for him. It was nice to meet you and I appreciate your love for a special cousin. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the wonderful memories you and Donnie had together will help you smile again.
Love,
Brownie
Mike Davis
left a message on January 13, 2023:
Don and I ran track together at WHHS in 1969-70. Over the years we would run into one another in Bryson City or as he floated by on the Chattooga. Don always had a quick smile. Life is short, and I know his passing has brought sadness to his family and many friends. Paddle on, Don, and Rest in Peace, my friend.
Bill Mann
left a message on January 12, 2023:
I can recall numerous memories of times spent in my pre-teens with Donnie waterskiing on Lake Hartwell, his father Sam pulling us around the lake and snickering at all the good times we were having. We could have stayed out on that lake all day, never wanting to come back home, never wanting the fun to cease.
Other times spent at the Piper's Mountain Lake cottage were equally as memorable, engulfed in the solitude of nature, the comfort of good food and the laughter of family camaraderie.
But most importantly to me were our shared interests in art and music. You see, Donnie discovered tie-dying when we were in high school and soon taught it to me and we quickly embarked upon creating tie-dyed tee shirt masterpieces which I would then sell in the little shop I had in downtown Greenville. Using his mother's washing machine and sophisticated dyes and techniques, he was better at it than me; but he was always happy to show me how he accomplished the finished result.
Then there was the music. It was the late 60s and music had exploded! We would go to the record store in search of the best they had to offer. But we would never buy the same albums, because we knew that we would swap and share our records with one another. Or, better yet, just go up to his room at home and listen to them together as we talked about art, life, dreams.
And it was Donnie who inspired me to become an architect.
One day in high school we were going through some of his books and he showed me some pictures of Kenzo Tange's work for the gymnasium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. I was so impressed that anyone could design and create such a simple and fluid building out of concrete that I decided I wanted to go into architecture then and there. Had it not been for Donnie sharing that with me, I have no idea in what direction I would have gone.
We don't often get a lot of good friends in life. And especially in our formative years. But Donnie was never just a good friend. He was the best! I couldn't have asked for anyone better.
Catherine M. Piper
left a message on January 11, 2023:
In memory of Donald “Don”
Claude Piper, Catherine M. Piper lit a candle
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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