Man known for artistry, fine woodworking
Don Choate of Columbia died in his home on Oct. 9, 2008. He was 88.
Mr. Choate was born May 24, 1920, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Kate Alden and Fred Choate.
He grew up with four siblings and delivered ice as a young man. He worked in his father's furniture store after school and sang in the church choir in Greenville, Mich., before attending the University of Michigan. Mr. Choate then worked at a bomber plant designing decals for the planes during World War II before moving to New York City, where he met Jane Pitman at the Art Students League. They later married and raised three children in rural New Jersey.
In New York City, Mr. Choate worked as a greeting card designer and hand letterer at Norcross Greeting Card Co. He later became a freelance designer, and in 1968, he and his wife, Jane, divorced. During the 1970s, he traveled around the country and eventually settled in Columbia.
For years, Mr. Choate worked in Columbia as a fine woodworker, making custom furniture and sculpture.
He also worked at the Mid-Missouri Food Pantry, where he began drawing portraits of some of the people who passed through the pantry because he saw so much of life reflected in their faces. He was always politically and environmentally active, and worked to make the world a better place.
Mr. Choate is survived by his ex-wife; two daughters, Lenore and Rebecca; a son, David; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of a service, a retrospective showing of Mr. Choate's artwork will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2008, at the Alleyway Arts studio on Broadway Alley, parallel to Walnut Street and Broadway between Tenth and Short streets, behind KeLani Salon and Spa.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Central Missouri Food Bank Pantry, 1408 Indiana Ave. Online condolences may be left for Mr. Choate's family at heartlandcremation.com.
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