DON D. TREASTER
FLORENCE — We are saddened to share the news that Don Treaster, age 68, has died. Born in Sumter on April 10, 1955, he passed away on March 4, 2024. His parents are Stan Treaster (deceased) and Barbara Martin of Sumter. Don had four brothers, Butch (deceased), Greg, Mark and Stan, and one sister, Tammy (deceased). For most of his younger years, Don was raised by his mom and a stepdad, Marty (deceased), who loved and guided Don.
Don was educated in the Sumter County schools and at Central Carolina College. He was a gifted mechanic and welder. Don worked for some fine companies over his career, to include Campbell Soup, B&D and Man-Cor. After almost 15 years of service, Don retired from GE Healthcare in Florence as an MRI technician. At GE, Don flourished with his electrical skills and problem-solving abilities and genuinely cared for his team on third shift. Don was quiet about helping others. He devoted many hours to GE Volunteer events to include United Way projects, working at Crosswell Home for Children and helping to restore Aycock Cemetery, a historic Black cemetery in Wedgefield.
Married to Patricia Brown of Sumter for many years, Don and Tricia had two children, David (Jenny) of Lugoff and Tiffany (Chris) of Camden. There is also a special daughter, Lindsey Haberstroh of Lugoff, and there are 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Although no longer married, Don and Tricia remained close friends. At the time of his death, Don was in a long-term relationship with Karen Cole; they retired to Santee, where Don spent most of his hours fishing and then cooking his catch for friends and family. At the time of his death, Don moved closer to his children. Don was a lifelong Gamecock fan, and after smoking for more than 50 years, only choked at the sight of anything orange. A classic car fan, one of the claims to fame Don held for years was that he had the fastest yellow Challenger in the Pee Dee.
Don enjoyed life. In his early years, Don occasionally glanced over some legal lines but was always mindful of where life could have taken him. He was thankful for those who helped in his formative years and was especially grateful to Wally and Marie Davids, who gave him a home when he “only needed a bed for a couple of nights.” They finally turned him loose four years later. Don was family.
Don was an avid reader and history enthusiast, and if you ever got beneath the gruff, there was an unselfish man with a heart of gold who would do anything to help. If Don Treaster called you his friend, you could count on him. He would stand beside you no matter what. Yes, Don made some mistakes in life, but he was no hypocrite. What you saw was what you got. Something very difficult to find today is a man that stands on his word. This man did. Don will be missed by those who knew him best.
There will be a memorial service at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens on Wednesday, March 6, at 4 p.m., with visitation starting one hour prior to the service. A private burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Sumter later that afternoon. If planning to attend the service, you are invited to wear your favorite Carolina shirt or Hawaiian shirt — Don’s favorite attire — and do so in his honor.
Honorary pallbearers will be the GE Healthcare techs. His best friend and brother, the Rev. Darryl Davids, will officiate. Memorials can be made to Crosswell Home for Children, 11 Crosswell Drive, Sumter, SC 29150. To God be the glory.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements.