Donald M.

Fullerton

Apple Valley, CA — Donald Martin Fullerton, 89, of Apple Valley, CA, formerly of Chambers, died Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at his home in Apple Valley, CA.

Memorial visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 at the Chambers Community Church in Chambers.

Burial will be in the Chambers Cemetery in Chambers.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Donald was born in Stuart on June 5th, 1936, to George Donald and Dorothy Ruth (Spath) Fullerton. He grew up on a cattle ranch southeast of Amelia. He attended the Amelia School House from the age of five until 10th grade. Along with his siblings Phillis and Dale, he would ride a pony to school each day. His first job was delivering water to workers in the blue grass fields, earning 10  cents an hour. Don helped with chores on the family ranch, milking cows, feeding hay off the wagon he built. As a member of the Southfork 4-H club, he bought his first calf at nine years old. The annual Holt County Fair was a highlight of every summer, he loved getting to sell his steer and a chance to socialize and dance!

At 15, he moved in with his grandparents to attend Atkinson High School. He was involved in the yearbook staff, football, band, basketball, choir and play production. He loved and respected his grandparents greatly, but still found mischief (or created it) wherever he'd go. For his senior year, he moved back home to attend Chambers High School, joining clubs and participating in sports, meeting more friends that he cherished for a lifetime. He graduated at 16 in 1953.

With his asthma and severe allergies, he knew ranching was not a healthy option, therefore he decided to become a schoolteacher. He attended Wayne State College summer school in 1953, to complete his teaching certificate, commuting with his grandmother. He began teaching at a one room schoolhouse District 216, south of Amelia when he was just 17. He later returned to WSC, where he got to live on campus and join the swim team.

After one of his uncles suggested that Don try living in California to help ease his asthma and allergies, he took a risk and never moved back. He moved first to Lancaster and then to the Los Angeles area, working as a janitor and gas station attendant while he attended Northrup Engineering College in Inglewood, CA. In May 1958, his world crumbled when his younger brother Dale passed away. Through his pain and grief, he vowed to work harder, be more successful, try to make his parents proud and honor his brother. He returned to college and received his bachelor's degree.

In June 1959, Don married Carolyn Janet Schwandt of Lancaster, CA. In the early years of their marriage, Don worked in engineering and sales at companies like Lockheed, Northrup, Cosmodyne in the L.A. area. They stayed active in many social clubs and picked up hobbies such as camping, boating and water skiing. Don and Carolyn welcomed three children into their family Dale Rudy, Randy Scott and Shari Ann. In 1964, Don quit his engineering job and found himself with State Farm Insurance company for over 40 years. Through this career he held various jobs and met many lifelong friends. His State Farm career allowed him to be successful as a businessman and still teach others.

Don bought a small acreage in Tustin, CA, in 1971 so he could own horses again. The family all learned to ride and trail rides were a family activity. In 1974, the family moved to Corona, CA for more space for horses, a small feedlot for cattle, some sheep, a few pigs, geese, chickens... Don and Carolyn named their new place “Etc. Acres.” They became involved in Appaloosa horse racing, and still went on trail rides, always buying, feeding and selling cattle. His kids all joined 4-H or FFA, and he was a leader for many years, teaching his own children and others the value of chores, hard work and perseverance. With his oldest son Dale, they started to travel to Nebraska in the fall each year to buy quality club calves in and around Holt County, then hauling them back to California, selling the calves to 4-H and FFA members in So. Cal.

In 1983, he found a new passion, combining horses and cattle, called team penning. Along with his brother-in-law Gene, they started team penning practices at the Rancheros riding club and traveled the circuit. His favorite horse “Ralph” helped Don win many competitions, including the World Team Penning Championship in 1994. After moving to Apple Valley, CA, he built an arena where he put on his own team penning events and practices. He was honored to be inducted into the Team Penning Hall of Fame in 2019, in Ft. Worth, Texas.

After moving to Apple Valley in 1995, he dug a pond and stocked it with catfish (just like he did at the Corona place). For over 50 years, Don built humble "ranches," where family, friends and neighbors could gather, get away from city life, relax, go fishing, pet or ride horses, learn about livestock and sample rural life.

Don survived and overcame many health issues over the years, but he never stopped doing what he loved. Through the loyalty and love of his closest friends and family near him, he was able to live out his busy days until the end, with daily chores, (or directing others), figuring feed rations, checking cattle and keeping his Nebraska roots intact.

Whether it was business, friendships, hobbies, ranching, Don taught people to dream, make goals, work hard, problem solve, persevere, overcome adversity, accept help, give back and never forget those who helped you in life. He loved his children, grandchildren, family, his friends (who became his family too) so very much. In the last couple years, his faith in God grew stronger, especially after witnessing close friends and family live out their own faith in Christ. After years of seeds of faith being planted in his heart, he accepted the gift of salvation and forgiveness through Christ. Becoming a follower later in life carries powerful message about grace and redemption, and Don was humbled, inspired and comforted by God's promises.

Don is survived by his three children Dale (Kimberley) Fullerton of Warner Springs, CA, Randy (Cris) Fullerton of Havana, FL and Shari (Bee) Gribble of Chambers; six grandchildren Cara (Michael) Delahunty of Brooklyn, NY, George (Caroline) Fullerton of Tallahassee, FL, Halie (Ethan) Schaecher of Montrose, CO, Rex Gribble of Chambers, Kacie (Jackson) Hinze of Gretna and Ross Gribble of Chambers; two step-grandchildren Adam and Jessica Wong of Irvine, CA; four great-grandchildren Norah, Noel and two due in November; his sister Phillis (Gene) Skala of Riverside, CA; one niece Kelly (Fredo) Casillas; three nephews Brad (Kelley) Skala, Eric (Rebecca) Skala and Bob (Suzy) Urrea of Wellington NV; and many cousins and dear friends.

  He was preceded in death by his brother, his parents and his first wife.