Condolence: About Don Cutlip a great man .
A very great man who managed to almost always get his point across without ever needing to raise his voice . Now dont get me wrong I have heard his voice raised in times of disquiet and jubilation but he always had a good reason to leave his quiet ways . He tried and succeeded to be a good father type figure to me . The thing I think I most admired about him is how he accepted me for who I was and how I must be . He also valued me and my opinion case in point was the massive ditching project me and him did to end the basement flooding to make a long story short they used to get water in their basement even with a sump pump and then after listening to me and Don and I doing a lot of work . To my understanding I don't think the water ever got back up into the basement again . All of these things are mine to share about a great man from what I know of him he was a great man , son , brother , husband , father and grandfather all these things I assume most knew anyways ; but this is a story about him about things as I know them where unknown accept maybe to Dianne . On a grey cloud filled early morning ; on a day after I crashed in his house , after Frank and I had been out late the previous night running around ; in mid fall early in the first year of the knowing of me with a wet day oncoming and the promise of chili and football to watch in the den in the offering . We were up only the 2 of us at that time were awake he said to me " Mike I want to ask you something " . Here I figured was coming the bad influence thing and would be best if you really like my son to go separate ways ( have heard the speech more times then I wished both about partners in passion as well as brothers in arms ) so I did my usual grin (never was much of a smiler ) and said " Sure dad ask away " ( by this time Don and Dianne had said to call them Dad and Mom ) . He said " I know our son will have to learn a lot of things the hard way and I am sure although we have brought him up right he will do some questionable things . I also know you have lived a harder and more worldly life and I would like if you would guide him on his path and protect him as best you can . See I know enough about him and you that I think he shall need your help and advice . " Of course I said " yes " right away and he replied with " Think on it some before you answer because I will be trusting you with my son " . About this time beautiful Dianne came down stairs soon to be followed by not so bright or bushytailed Frank so the conversation was dropped at that time . The only time it came back up was about first snow fall that year when I said " about that yes I meant it then and now and always for as long as Frank stays near me and is a brother to me I shall be both his shield and sword " ( yes occasionally I talk like that I know weird right ) and his simple and direct reply was " Ok " followed with a pause then a sly twinkling smile " good " . So this concludes one of my many good stories about Don but most I will keep to myself to keep me warm and smiling when the darkness comes close . I was honored to know a man and father like this ,who not only trusted me ; a man like I am ; but who could see flaws in his son and in me and did his best to help us both . Because while doing his best for his son he also made me a better man for without him in his role and without Frank as a brother my path would have been worse . I just assume God needed another miner to separate the Silver from the slag to seed others clouds and to make a path and a home for those of us to follow so he called Don home . Dianne , Frank & Shannon & Kids and John plus family direct and extended my prayers and thoughts are with you and shall be for some time to come .

Condolence: Donald was a wonderful man who means so very much to me. When his son, Frank and I began a relationship together many years ago. I could tell that he didn't know what to think of me. But like he was, he accepted me into the family with open arms. He loved me through a lot of difficult times, just like a father does. He gave me councel, and even put me in my place upon occasion. He accepted me and loved me as his daughter and made such an impact in my life. Thanks Dad. I loved you too. Probably more than you knew. Until we all are reunited again one day, you are truly missed and forever loved.

Condolence: Bro Cutlip and family,

My deepest sympathy to you and your loved ones. Wish we could be there with you in these moments of grief.
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts of your brother.

Much Love,
Sister April

Condolence: You will surely be missed by all. We had alot of good times together. Love ya