Donald Albert Stevens, was Born in 1930 to Peggy and Albert Stevens, A farming Family. Donald was oneof 7 Children, he went to school in Dunkeswell and then Honiton.

At the age of 15 he started to work on a farm for Mr Vinnicombe Sr. Where he stayed until he retired at the age of 65. He was Awarded the Long service Award from Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II at Devon County Show in Exeter.

Donald met and married his wife Patricia (Pat) in 1955 after two years of Courting and two years engaged, both being Methodist, they Married at the Methodist chapel in Combe St. Nicholas.  They Had 3 Children, David, Lorna & Michael; three Grand Children Martyn, Sean & Kirsty & Great Granddaughter Amber.  In 2005 Don & Pat Celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Donald's Life was spent either down the farm or in his huge garden, he loved gardening whether in his own garden or helping others. His Garden was his Pride & Joy, he became known as " the Pumpkin Man" owing to the Huge Pumpkins he grew often winning first prize at Beer Pumpkin show, His largest weighed 365lbs!

When the weather was bad he would spend time making walking sticks in his shed, he very seldom wasted his time, he was very much a home bird, there he was always his happiest, but Don did enjoy some travel to Canada and America to meet up with a U.S Airman who became a friend of the family, whilst being stationed at Dunkeswell airfield during WW2. Pat invited him to a trip to Jersey once but his only response to that was "I Have to plant my Teddies"

He was a quiet man, who enjoyed the simple things in life, never swore, smoked or lost his temper, his only tipple was the occasional baileys. He always looked forward to and enjoyed the Annual Family Gathering at Dunkeswell village hall at Christmas.

Don's Garden will stand as his living memory to his hard work and passion for Gardening, it had two Fishponds, two sheds( one which he would ride his motorbike straight into to store it) a summer house, which was won for winning 1st prize from Otter Nurseries and the huge Monkey Puzzle tree which now bears fruit. He has Countless little  statues dotted around the garden and not forgetting his beloved unusual Brick collection. At the far end is his vegetable garden. He loved listening to and watching the birds and since his passing there has been one robin who has visited the garden everyday!

Don will be remembered for his strong handshake, never gluing in his false teeth properly, his answer to every problem being Germoline or bailing cord, his sense of humour and most of alll his kind gentle nature.