Donald Alan Player

Mr. Donald Alan Player, age 53, entered into rest Monday morning, October 26, 2015, at his home on Bells Highway in Ruffin.

Private funeral services will be conducted 11 o’clock Saturday morning, October 31, 2015, from the Glendale Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, 2210 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro.   Mr. Player’s cousin, the Reverend Jeff Krontz will officiate.

A son of the late Chief Master Sergeant Ira Ervin Player (United States Air Force, Ret.) and Mrs. Noriko Ogata Player a native of Kumamoto City, Japan, he was born December 14, 1961, while his father and family were stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  Donald cherished his childhood as an “Air Force Brat” as he traveled to distant locations not usually afforded others.  He lived twice in Japan and in the Philippines as a military dependent and learned to appreciate the comforts of home and family.  Donald completed his education and training at Trident Technical College with a degree in Engineering Design Graphics and was an expert with computer aided drafting.  His work as a computer draftsman afforded him the opportunity to work with many industries during his life.  His work also enabled him to travel extensively as short-term assignments took him to work locations throughout the state and to the Washington D.C. region.  He was a family man, who devoted himself to the wants and needs of others.  He enjoyed conversation and an occasional “argument”, especially with his mother.  He enjoyed trips to the beach, visiting relatives and tending to the needs of the family property in Ruffin.

He fought hard to live life to the fullest despite being stricken with Myotonic Dystrophy, a form of Muscular Dystrophy inherited generation to generation.  Diagnosed in his early 20s, the disease gradually took its toll as Donald refused to let his condition stop him from daily activities, no matter how difficult the simplest acts became.  His appreciation for the ravages of the disease led him to decide to remain single and not risk passing the gene on to another generation.  This is the man whom we all knew as son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend.  Always thinking of others.

Surviving in addition to his mother of Ruffin are: his brother, James Ingram “Jim” Player of Mineral, Virginia and his children, Jessica Player, Candace Player, and Brendan Player; and granddaughter, Rylee.   He is also survived by an aunt, Mrs. Frances Player Hallman of South Georgia, an uncle, Mr. Bruce Krontz of Ladson; as well as a large host of cousins in the United States as well as Japan.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to: The Muscular Dystrophy Association, 29 Leinbach Drive Suite B4, Charleston, South Carolina 29407.

Arrangements by: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.