Donald “Don” Brazee

Donald “Don” Brazee, age 97, passed away Friday, April 28, 2023 at Pioneer Golden Estates in Clare, Mich. He was born in Tecumseh, Mich. on May 4, 1925, the youngest child of Alvin and Helen Brazee.

Don graduated from Tecumseh High in 1943 where he played basketball and ran track. He was a member of the 1943 varsity basketball team that won the state championship. Following graduation he was drafted and served three years in the Navy Seabees during WWII, stationed in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands.

After the war Donald used the GI Bill to complete his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan and his master’s degree from the University of Michigan. He married Marjorie Frey on June 22, 1947. He started his teaching career in Michigan’s upper peninsula at Trout Lake.

In 1951 Donald and Marjorie returned to Tecumseh where he started his 31-year career in Tecumseh Public Schools. During his career in education, he wore many hats including that of teacher, administrator, basketball and track coach, athletic director and director of student activities.

As varsity track coach his 1958 team won the league title for the first time in school history. During the early 1960s his track teams won league and regional titles, with the 1960 team being undefeated. He was All Huron League Athletic Director in 1975 and was also awarded the Regional Athletic Director of the Year. 

In 1958 he was awarded the Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Jaycees. He was a charter member of Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of Directors of Athletics and Physical Education and The Exchange Club. He served two terms on the Tecumseh City Council.

In 2015 Don was greatly honored by the Tecumseh High School Alumni Association when he was inducted into its Wall of Fame. 

Don was an avid sports enthusiast and a dedicated University of Michigan fan. He loved watching all sports on TV. As a younger man he enjoyed fishing with anyone that would go with him.

During his retirement he learned to play golf and became a lifelong player. He once had the privilege of playing the championship course, Bay Hill, in Orlando, Fla. In 2004 he was proud to make a hole-in-one.  
In 1982 Don retired and he and his faithful, loving and devoted wife, Marjorie, moved to Florida and visited Michigan every summer. They spent their retirement playing golf at least three times a week in various leagues and being active in their church and community. They traveled extensively and enjoyed golf courses in many different states. They made many special friends in Florida.  

Don was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Marjorie; a son, Arthur, his wife Ann; daughters, Linda Casnovsky and husband Bill and Jeanne O’Connor and husband, Greg; grandchildren, Christian Hartwig, Valerie Edelman, Patrick Brazee, Joy Casnovsky and Carrie Sutterfield; great-grandchildren, Cade and Anna Sutterfield, Annabelle and Josie Brazee, Jonah, Graham and Nolan Hartwig and Caelen Carter; nephews, Edward Brazee and David Noggle; and niece, Jill Burch. Other survivors include Matt Beaver, a special “adopted” grandson and his family. 
Don’s family would like to thank the special caregivers at the Kissimmee, Florida Good Samaritan Village, and Pioneer Golden Estates in Clare for their dedicated and steadfast help.  

Visitation and services will be held at the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 4, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. led by Pastor Jeremiah Ketchum. Burial will take place in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Salvation Army or the Tecumseh Schools Foundation/Tecumseh Alumni Association. Online condolences may be left at stephenson-wyman.com.