Donald J Vines

DONALD J. VINES, only child of the late Charles and Helen Vines was born in Baltimore, MD on September 21, 1953. He would later move to Farmville, North Carolina under the care of his late grandmother, Letha Hopkins, whereby he received his early education through the Farmville Public School System. He would later reconnect with his mother in Stamford, Connecticut where he continued his education graduating from his beloved Rippawam High School in 1971. Donald and his mother relocated back to Baltimore in 1974 where he held several jobs before being employed with the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 1976 until his retirement in 2012. When first hired by the University, he worked in the Physical Plant (later to become known as Facilities Management) Shade Shop where he learned many handyman skills. There was pretty much nothing that he couldn’t fix. As time went on, he wanted to be promoted within the department so he completed a two-year course at Rets Electronic School graduating in 1983. When an opening became available in the Electronics Shop, he was promoted to Electronics Technician responsible for a number of duties including fire alarm testing and silencing, key card access, cabling for computers and whatever else fell under the Electronics Shop. He was a conscientious employee, who could be depended upon no matter what hour of the night or early morning to show up tore pair whatever the problem when he was on call. Donald met the love of his life, Patricia Campbell and became bonus dad to daughter Crystal in 1980 dating until marriage in 1982. From this union, his daughter April was born. As a young boy, Donald attended church religiously with his grandmother to include Sunday School, Sunday Service and Wednesday Bible Study. He madea profession of faith, was baptized and became a member of New Frontiers of Faith Baptist Church from 1982 through 1986. He genuinely accepted Christ as his Savior in 1988 on the way home from a Christian retreat after being witnessed to by one of the men in the ministry. During this period, he attended Genesis Bible Fellowship Church where he became a member that year to present day.As a member, the first ministry he served on was in Housekeeping later to serve on the Building Maintenance Ministry. Donald was an active member of the Men’s Accountability Group which met the first Saturday of each month. He also attended the Men’s Fellowship monthly meetings. Donald was in a weekly men’s prayer group until his illness. Donald was a compassionate and empathetic man who only wanted the best for those he loved; whether family, friends, or those he just met who had a story to share. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends deeply and was loved by many. Donald had many interests to include maintaining aquariums that included many exotic fish. He loved the challenge of doing maintenance on his vehicles when possible. He also loved traveling, socializing especially family and high school reunions; attending his 50th year high school reunion in 2021. Donald was also known for his dressing which he modeled from his uncles that he admired as he grew into a young man. He loved to travel from Connecticut by train to Harlem’s 125th Street to buy all the latest fashions. A couple of his many nicknames was Dapper Don and Fly Guy. Donald transitioned to his heavenly home on March 31, 2025 after a lengthy illness. He leaves behind to treasure his memory his loving and devoted wife of43 years, Patricia; daughters, Crystal (Ray) and April;grandchildren, Kori (Curtis),Briel, McKenzie and Christian; great grandchildren, Charlie, Miyah and Landen; sisters-in-law, Maggie Harrison, Jackie Campbell; brothers-in-law, Johnny Campbell (Sophie), Robert Campbell (Tasha); aunt Kay Wardlaw (Al); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Donald J Vines

September 21, 1953 - March 31, 2025