Donald Daigle

Donald Joseph Daigle Sr. (Don) went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 15th after courageously fighting various illnesses for almost 4 months. He was 89 years old. He was born in Old Town, Maine to Louis “Chunky” Daigle and Doris Sapiel Daigle on February 26, 1936. He grew up on Indian Island, Maine and was half Penobscot Indian and very proud of it. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 ½ years, Becky. He is also survived by his children: Matt (Noel), Christopher, Michelle, Mark (Susan), David, Donald Jr., Barbara and is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Don became a born again Christian at the age of 36 and has faithfully served his Lord since. Don and his family moved to Arizona in 1973 and he went to the Southwestern School of Missions in Flagstaff. After graduating in four years, the family moved back to Maine and Don pastored the Baptist Church on his reservation for 4 ½ years. In June of 1982, they moved back to Arizona. Don and Becky have lived in Cottonwood ever since then and during that time Don became the pastor of the Native American Bible Church on the Yavapai-Apache reservation in Clarkdale. He pastored the church for almost 43 years which is the longest pastor in its 110 year history. He dearly loved this little church and the people there.

Don loved the outdoors. He canoe raced professionally in his younger years. He loved hunting and fishing and just being outside in God’s creation. More than anything, he loved his Lord and his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Native American Bible Church, 1621 Beecher Street, Yavapai-Apache reservation, Clarkdale, Arizona on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m.