My Brother Don Butch Butchie boy
A very special person in our family and will be greatly missed but not forgotten.We were there with you
every day in thoughts and prayers since you were diagnosed.
Iwant to share this thought with everyone.... The day after our 10 year old Grandson was told he asked his
Mother---"Mom you know you tell us God is everywhere...does that mean Uncle Butch is everywhere too ?" I
beleive he is.........
With Love Betty
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Respects
On Tuesday Sept. 4th, hundreds of friends gathered to pay their final respects to Don Lenox.
There was a beautiful colleague of pictures celebrating Don’s life,
In addition to this, there was a display of many of the awards that Donhad received, the flag that had flown
over the U.S. capital and was presented to him last year at the 50th anniversary of soapbox derby racing in
Bucks County. His plaque and citation inducting him into the All American Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in
Akron,Ohio, there was also a miniature Oscar Mayer car, he loved anything relating to Oscar Mayer, also
several hilarious pictures of him in his outlandish outfits that he wore for his swim in the Atlantic Ocean on
Jan.1st each year.
Though it was a time of sorrow, it was also a celebration of life as many people recalled their experiences in
racing and their times with Don and that is the way he would have wanted it.
A very special and emotional time for me was when several of this years racers came in wearing their derby
shirts, their mother said that though she didn’t want them to come dressed that way, they said that they felt
that Don would have wanted them dress that way and I think they were absolutely right. I feel that they
represented all of our local entrants.
There was a beautiful service that renewed our feelings of what a good,kind and caring person Don was.
Upon leaving, across the way, many members of the Hot Rod Club had parked their modified cars as a sign
of respect for Don.
In time, the sorrow of his passing may lessen but whenever anyone thinks of Don, a smile will come and a
happy thought will appear and that is the greatest legacy anyone can ever have.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don Lenox…… I first met Don in 1973, That fall a meeting was held at which the entire membership had
resigned and the derby association was being disbanded due to Chevy dropping it’s sponsorship and the
magnet scandal.
Don said” Why can’t we take it over” The” we” were Don, myself and Dee Conner. Little did we realize what
a life changing decision that would become . We had absolutely nothing. Chevy, newspapers etc were all
gone, all we had was our desire for it to go on. During the next 6 months we went anywhere where we
could to display a car and explain the program, we had to answer all the questions the people had about
the magnet. Those were very hard and trying times. It was only through Don’s determination and drive that
we were able to get people to build cars for our local of 1974,and that was the start of Don’s derby
directors career.
Don’s goal that year and all the years that followed was for the kids to have a great time and experience the
thrill of going down the hill in a derby car. He just loved to see the kids with what he always called “Big Eyes”
and smiles as they came down the hill
When it came time to go to Akron I don’t know who would get more excited, Don or the local champs and
their families. He loved to watch them as they experienced the thrills and excitement of their week in Akron
and that never changed in all the years that he went to Akron
To all the people who met Don during the week in Akron I would like to tell you that he acted that way all the
time. He had the same enthusiasm whether it was getting ready for “The Contest,” being the first one in the
Atlantic Ocean on Jan 1st or being Chairman of the 10k run in Morrisville, Pa.
Everyone knows that Don had a heart of gold, but few may realize that he was also a very sentimental man,
as an example
This past April Don had the chance to put a derby car permantly on display in a museum near our town I
asked him if he was going to give his beloved ” Blue Bonnet” that he built by himself and raced in our local
in 1961 when he was 15 he said he thought about it but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it because he
loved that car and he could never give it away .
It is impossible put together a letter covering 34 years of friendship, great times and memories. Over the
years we had talked of how we wished to be remembered after our derby days were finished, I once said to
him that I thought the highest compliment that one can receive is for people to simply say of you “You’re a
good man” and he said that sounded about right. He was one of the finest persons I have had the privilege
to know and I will miss him more than anyone will know.
In closing let me simply say.. God Speed Don “A very good man”
John Stead
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Carnegie said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” If that is the
case then Uncle Don must have been the most successful man alive. I can’t remember a time he wasn’t
laughing, joking or having fun. His humor often pointed out the obvious, yet embarrassing side of things.
For example, I am quite sure that the first fart joke I heard was from Uncle Don. A fart joke could be snuck in
a conversation at any given time, no one was safe, and no holiday was safe. Much like a fart, sometimes
silent and deadly, there it would show up.…Uncle Don’s fart joke.
Now don’t get me wrong there were other jokes too! There were jokes about getting old, doctors visits,
family, and of course Aunt Nancy, Donnie, Darren and the Eagles. However, one consistent, tried and true
was always the fart joke! So in honor of Uncle Don here is a poem all about farts:
A fart can be quiet, a fart can be loud. Some leave a powerful poisonous cloud. A fart might not smell, while
others are vile. A fart may pass quickly of linger awhile. A fart can occur in a number of places, and leave
everyone with strange looks on their faces. From wide-open prairie, to small elevators, a fart will find all of
us sooner or later. But not all farts are bad….this is simply not true, we will NEVER forget a dear sweet fart
like you!
I will miss Uncle Don’s wit, wisdom and sense of humor. Most of all I will miss his resonating laughter! Let his
zest for life and willingness to help other be an example to all of us.
Lisa
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently found this OLD picture of Mr. Lenox . It was taken shortly after we won the big one. This was his
2nd year as Derby Director . It was such a fantastic time for all of us. Mr. Lenox was always there for all of
us kids and adults alike. We'll all miss him !!!! Karren Stead
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a child, I was not the strongest to stand up to those around me. However, Mr. Lenox taught me that no
matter what someone had to say (be it true or not) you need to look at it in a positive manner. Every
negative really has a positive and there really are silver linings in every grey cloud that hangs over your
head. He taught me that one needs to push further and harder instead of giving up. Just when you think
you could never possibly reach that goal or dream, if you just keep trying you will be there, past through it
and moved onto a new goal before you know it. Mr. Lenox also encouraged laughing even when you
wanted to cry. Learning to laugh at whatever life deals you, because otherwise - you'll go crazy. There
were many things Mr. Lenox shared with me and my family over our "racing career" - but how to "BE" a
family with not only your blood relatives, but with your new "extended" soap box derby family is probably the
most important lesson he shared.
As an adult, I have grown to be a stronger person by continuing to live by examples from people like Mr.
Lenox that I have had the pleasure in meeting over the years. To help everyone and anyone you can, give
as much as you can give, love yourself as you are and love everyone you come in contact with as they are;
all while still keeping the child within you alive and strong by playing and enjoying every moment of
everyday.
These are all lessons that were not taught in a classroom or preached at the alter, but taught by Don Lenox
to the thousands, if not millions of lives that he has touched over the years. The world has lost a wonderful
angel. My thoughts are with his family and all of those who have been blessed by his presence in their lives.
Love,honor,peace
Gail A. (Rickards) Hunsberger
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shorts with flames on them a smile to greet you and a laugh that was heard around the world. If Will Rogers
had an equal that would be Don Lenox. Mr. Lenox was always there to lend a hand with any problem you
had when racing.
I met Mr Lenox when I was 6 years old when my brother and sister started racing in the Soap Box Derby. I
was too young to race but, Mr Lenox made sure I was still part of the action some how some way because
he believed in every kid being involved.
I remember being at Derby Camp ( this is when you went away to camp) and feeling a bit down when here
comes Derby Don with a smile on his face and a reinsurance hug saying everything fine mom and dad are
missing you and can't wait to see you race. After that visit the rest of the week went a lot smoother.
Some of the younger kids might not know but Mr. Lenox was the grand master of the All American Farting
Contest held every year the week of the All American Race. That's where the image of a Tall man with black
shorts with red flames on them and a coat with tails and a bow tie would judge over the farting contest.
That Thursday night everyone would gather in the court yard at Arkon University and have a blast literally.
Even after I retired from racing and stop by the race Mr. Lenox was there encouraging the kids on and
making sure everyone was having a good time.
Where ever you are Mr. Lenox Thank You for the memories and letting me know I can do anything I put my
mind to.
Your Friend Heather (Rickards) Fischer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Memory of Don Lenox - My Brother-In-Law
I will always remember his innate, great sense of humor. He created so many smiles - for so many people
of all ages.
And his laugh was devilish.
He could see something and then sum it up in a one-liner that always hit the mark. And he ended his
comments with that chuckle of his that always brought a smile.
I believe that people who have fun in life, who can see the irony and sometimes the futility of our self-
important and many times, self-imposed struggles – Are positive forces in a world filled with the negative
messages.
Don Lenox was a positive force - even to the end.
May he rest in peace and find some really good laughs, forever.
Calvin O. Iszard
43 Livingston Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
A very special person in our family and will be greatly missed but not forgotten.We were there with you
every day in thoughts and prayers since you were diagnosed.
Iwant to share this thought with everyone.... The day after our 10 year old Grandson was told he asked his
Mother---"Mom you know you tell us God is everywhere...does that mean Uncle Butch is everywhere too ?" I
beleive he is.........
With Love Betty
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Respects
On Tuesday Sept. 4th, hundreds of friends gathered to pay their final respects to Don Lenox.
There was a beautiful colleague of pictures celebrating Don’s life,
In addition to this, there was a display of many of the awards that Donhad received, the flag that had flown
over the U.S. capital and was presented to him last year at the 50th anniversary of soapbox derby racing in
Bucks County. His plaque and citation inducting him into the All American Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in
Akron,Ohio, there was also a miniature Oscar Mayer car, he loved anything relating to Oscar Mayer, also
several hilarious pictures of him in his outlandish outfits that he wore for his swim in the Atlantic Ocean on
Jan.1st each year.
Though it was a time of sorrow, it was also a celebration of life as many people recalled their experiences in
racing and their times with Don and that is the way he would have wanted it.
A very special and emotional time for me was when several of this years racers came in wearing their derby
shirts, their mother said that though she didn’t want them to come dressed that way, they said that they felt
that Don would have wanted them dress that way and I think they were absolutely right. I feel that they
represented all of our local entrants.
There was a beautiful service that renewed our feelings of what a good,kind and caring person Don was.
Upon leaving, across the way, many members of the Hot Rod Club had parked their modified cars as a sign
of respect for Don.
In time, the sorrow of his passing may lessen but whenever anyone thinks of Don, a smile will come and a
happy thought will appear and that is the greatest legacy anyone can ever have.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don Lenox…… I first met Don in 1973, That fall a meeting was held at which the entire membership had
resigned and the derby association was being disbanded due to Chevy dropping it’s sponsorship and the
magnet scandal.
Don said” Why can’t we take it over” The” we” were Don, myself and Dee Conner. Little did we realize what
a life changing decision that would become . We had absolutely nothing. Chevy, newspapers etc were all
gone, all we had was our desire for it to go on. During the next 6 months we went anywhere where we
could to display a car and explain the program, we had to answer all the questions the people had about
the magnet. Those were very hard and trying times. It was only through Don’s determination and drive that
we were able to get people to build cars for our local of 1974,and that was the start of Don’s derby
directors career.
Don’s goal that year and all the years that followed was for the kids to have a great time and experience the
thrill of going down the hill in a derby car. He just loved to see the kids with what he always called “Big Eyes”
and smiles as they came down the hill
When it came time to go to Akron I don’t know who would get more excited, Don or the local champs and
their families. He loved to watch them as they experienced the thrills and excitement of their week in Akron
and that never changed in all the years that he went to Akron
To all the people who met Don during the week in Akron I would like to tell you that he acted that way all the
time. He had the same enthusiasm whether it was getting ready for “The Contest,” being the first one in the
Atlantic Ocean on Jan 1st or being Chairman of the 10k run in Morrisville, Pa.
Everyone knows that Don had a heart of gold, but few may realize that he was also a very sentimental man,
as an example
This past April Don had the chance to put a derby car permantly on display in a museum near our town I
asked him if he was going to give his beloved ” Blue Bonnet” that he built by himself and raced in our local
in 1961 when he was 15 he said he thought about it but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it because he
loved that car and he could never give it away .
It is impossible put together a letter covering 34 years of friendship, great times and memories. Over the
years we had talked of how we wished to be remembered after our derby days were finished, I once said to
him that I thought the highest compliment that one can receive is for people to simply say of you “You’re a
good man” and he said that sounded about right. He was one of the finest persons I have had the privilege
to know and I will miss him more than anyone will know.
In closing let me simply say.. God Speed Don “A very good man”
John Stead
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Carnegie said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” If that is the
case then Uncle Don must have been the most successful man alive. I can’t remember a time he wasn’t
laughing, joking or having fun. His humor often pointed out the obvious, yet embarrassing side of things.
For example, I am quite sure that the first fart joke I heard was from Uncle Don. A fart joke could be snuck in
a conversation at any given time, no one was safe, and no holiday was safe. Much like a fart, sometimes
silent and deadly, there it would show up.…Uncle Don’s fart joke.
Now don’t get me wrong there were other jokes too! There were jokes about getting old, doctors visits,
family, and of course Aunt Nancy, Donnie, Darren and the Eagles. However, one consistent, tried and true
was always the fart joke! So in honor of Uncle Don here is a poem all about farts:
A fart can be quiet, a fart can be loud. Some leave a powerful poisonous cloud. A fart might not smell, while
others are vile. A fart may pass quickly of linger awhile. A fart can occur in a number of places, and leave
everyone with strange looks on their faces. From wide-open prairie, to small elevators, a fart will find all of
us sooner or later. But not all farts are bad….this is simply not true, we will NEVER forget a dear sweet fart
like you!
I will miss Uncle Don’s wit, wisdom and sense of humor. Most of all I will miss his resonating laughter! Let his
zest for life and willingness to help other be an example to all of us.
Lisa
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently found this OLD picture of Mr. Lenox . It was taken shortly after we won the big one. This was his
2nd year as Derby Director . It was such a fantastic time for all of us. Mr. Lenox was always there for all of
us kids and adults alike. We'll all miss him !!!! Karren Stead
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a child, I was not the strongest to stand up to those around me. However, Mr. Lenox taught me that no
matter what someone had to say (be it true or not) you need to look at it in a positive manner. Every
negative really has a positive and there really are silver linings in every grey cloud that hangs over your
head. He taught me that one needs to push further and harder instead of giving up. Just when you think
you could never possibly reach that goal or dream, if you just keep trying you will be there, past through it
and moved onto a new goal before you know it. Mr. Lenox also encouraged laughing even when you
wanted to cry. Learning to laugh at whatever life deals you, because otherwise - you'll go crazy. There
were many things Mr. Lenox shared with me and my family over our "racing career" - but how to "BE" a
family with not only your blood relatives, but with your new "extended" soap box derby family is probably the
most important lesson he shared.
As an adult, I have grown to be a stronger person by continuing to live by examples from people like Mr.
Lenox that I have had the pleasure in meeting over the years. To help everyone and anyone you can, give
as much as you can give, love yourself as you are and love everyone you come in contact with as they are;
all while still keeping the child within you alive and strong by playing and enjoying every moment of
everyday.
These are all lessons that were not taught in a classroom or preached at the alter, but taught by Don Lenox
to the thousands, if not millions of lives that he has touched over the years. The world has lost a wonderful
angel. My thoughts are with his family and all of those who have been blessed by his presence in their lives.
Love,honor,peace
Gail A. (Rickards) Hunsberger
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shorts with flames on them a smile to greet you and a laugh that was heard around the world. If Will Rogers
had an equal that would be Don Lenox. Mr. Lenox was always there to lend a hand with any problem you
had when racing.
I met Mr Lenox when I was 6 years old when my brother and sister started racing in the Soap Box Derby. I
was too young to race but, Mr Lenox made sure I was still part of the action some how some way because
he believed in every kid being involved.
I remember being at Derby Camp ( this is when you went away to camp) and feeling a bit down when here
comes Derby Don with a smile on his face and a reinsurance hug saying everything fine mom and dad are
missing you and can't wait to see you race. After that visit the rest of the week went a lot smoother.
Some of the younger kids might not know but Mr. Lenox was the grand master of the All American Farting
Contest held every year the week of the All American Race. That's where the image of a Tall man with black
shorts with red flames on them and a coat with tails and a bow tie would judge over the farting contest.
That Thursday night everyone would gather in the court yard at Arkon University and have a blast literally.
Even after I retired from racing and stop by the race Mr. Lenox was there encouraging the kids on and
making sure everyone was having a good time.
Where ever you are Mr. Lenox Thank You for the memories and letting me know I can do anything I put my
mind to.
Your Friend Heather (Rickards) Fischer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Memory of Don Lenox - My Brother-In-Law
I will always remember his innate, great sense of humor. He created so many smiles - for so many people
of all ages.
And his laugh was devilish.
He could see something and then sum it up in a one-liner that always hit the mark. And he ended his
comments with that chuckle of his that always brought a smile.
I believe that people who have fun in life, who can see the irony and sometimes the futility of our self-
important and many times, self-imposed struggles – Are positive forces in a world filled with the negative
messages.
Don Lenox was a positive force - even to the end.
May he rest in peace and find some really good laughs, forever.
Calvin O. Iszard
43 Livingston Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
