Donald Potter

Donald C. Potter, 85, of Gladwin, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 27, 2020. He died peacefully at home with family present. He was born on October 22, 1935, the son of Carl and Helen (Segelken) Potter in Baltimore, Maryland.  At the age of 15, he placed his faith in Jesus Christ, a decision that changed the course of his life. He attended Annapolis High School and later Eastern Bible Institute (now University of Valley Forge) in Green Lane, PA. On July 14, 1956, he married Lois Miller of Hale, MI, who he had met while attending EBI, and they enjoyed 43 years of life and ministry together while raising 6 children.  She preceded him in death in 1999. Later he met Vivian (Walsh) and they married on March 31, 2001.  They were blessed with 19 years of marriage together.  An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Donald shepherded 6 churches over 44 years of full time ministry including A/G churches in Dixfield and Readfield, Maine; Olivet, Armada, Atlanta, and Gladwin, Michigan. His last 15 years preaching the gospel were at Gladwin Assembly of God, where he retired in 2001. He deeply cared for and loved the people he served at these churches.

He was a loving, devoted, affectionate husband and father, always extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. His calling in life was to share God’s love and humbly serve the people in the communities where he ministered. He enjoyed attending his children’s sports, music and other activities, working in his yard, taking country drives and visiting with family and friends over a snack after evening services. Many will remember his big baritone voice and his hard working nature as he often worked second jobs such as driving school bus to help support his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife: Vivian Potter of Gladwin; children: Steven (Mary) Potter of Cincinnati, OH, Carolyn (Robert) Rice of Dunkirk, OH, Donald (Katherine) Potter of Farmington Hills, Rebecca (Patrick) McPherson of Tecumseh, Gregory (Samantha) Potter of Kalkaska, and Jonathan (Amy) Potter of Rochester, MN; 22 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; step children: Michael (Eileen) Walsh of Beaverton and Katherine (John) Downs of San Pedro, California. He was also preceded in death by a daughter Marietta and a grandson Brandon Rice.

A private family funeral service will be held Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 1:00 PM, officiated by Pastor Brad Withrow. The service will be live streamed on the Gladwin Assembly of God facebook page (gladwinag.com). A public memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined. He will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery, Gladwin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Assembly of God Church in Gladwin. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, Gladwin. www.hall-kokotovichfuneralhome.com