Donald Alward Mendrick

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Donald Alward Mendrick (88) announces his peaceful passing on October 4, 2025, at home in Tallahassee, Florida, after a short struggle with congestive heart failure. Don lived a wonderful, long, happy, and adventurous life surrounded by family and dear friends whom he loved so deeply. One of the most cherished things about Don was his vibrant personality; he was always quick with a joke, and he truly enjoyed making people laugh and smile. Don’s other loves included his devoted wife of 68 years, Frances Sylvester Mendrick, as well as sports cars (preferably Corvettes), destroying opponents on the tennis court, and boating…and not in that precise order. Some of our best memories of “Captain Don” were formed during scuba diving trips to the Bahamas, hunting big lobsters in the Florida Keys, enjoying margaritas on the rocks along with a platter of fresh oysters, or cheering on his beloved FSU Seminoles. Don was born in Dover, New Jersey on June 10, 1937, to Walter Jerisal Mendrick and Catherine Batson Mendrick. He grew up in New Jersey on a farm alongside two brothers, Walter Mendrick and Richard Mendrick (both now deceased) and a sister, Nancy Anderson (Ft. Myers, FL), all of whom he adored and with whom he shared a lifetime of laughter. Don served as the President of his senior class at Hackettstown NJ High School and he captured the heart of a sweet Georgia peach, Frances, whom he married in 1957. A self-taught entrepreneur, he was the proud owner of a Western Auto Store at the age of 20 and an even prouder father of three sons, Donald Andrew (of Tallahassee, FL), Christopher Michael (of Canon City, CO), and Todd Joseph (of Aurora, CO). He coached his boys in Little League baseball, served as their Boy Scout Troop Leader, and taught his boys to water ski, snow ski, and of course play tennis. In 1969, Don moved his family down to Ft. Myers, Florida, where he bought another Western Auto on Ft. Myers Beach, became the father to his little girl and scuba diving partner, Carrie Mendrick Roane (of Tallahassee, FL), and also became an accomplished Captain (which didn’t manage to prevent him from occasionally running aground). In Ft. Myers, Don was a member of the Church of the Resurrection, where he gave Carrie away in marriage to his cherished son-in-law, Jaken Roane. It was also in Ft. Myers where he became the father-in-law to Carolyn Mendrick and met his best friends and fellow adventurers of over 50 years, Steve, Frank, and Bernie. Don treasured becoming a grandfather to Dakota Yetzer a/k/a his littlest lobster (Whitefish, MO) and, just a few weeks before his death, Don met his great grand-son, Waker Miles Yetzer, whom he entertained with his infamous Donald Duck impression. Don moved permanently to Tallahassee, FL in 2010 to serve in the unpaid positions of taxi-driver and tennis coach to his grandsons and buddies, Gabriel and Sebastian Roane (Tallahassee, FL). He became a member of John Paul II Catholic Church in Tallahassee, which is where his Funeral Mass and Celebration of Don’s life will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 11, 2025. He will subsequently be interred on Sunday at 2pm at Roselawn Cemetery in Tallahassee, FL. His family would greatly appreciate donations be made to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Mendrick family with their arrangements

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Donald Alward Mendrick

June 10, 1937 - October 4, 2025