California, Birth Index
Name: Donald Laverne Chatfield
Event Date: 14 Nov 1929
Event Place: Colusa, California
Gender: Male
Mother's Name: Wilson
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Burial Cremated
Find A Grave Memorial# 120027492
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Occupation: Musician
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Served in the Army.
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We are sad to announce the passing of 83 year old local musician and songwriter, Don CHATFIELD, Sunday October 27th, 2013. Don was born in 1929 in Colusa, CA to parents Arthur and Irene Chatfield. He is survived by two brothers, Vernon "Vern" CHATFIELD, Garry Chatfield and sister, Avis Shinn. He is also survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen, daughters, Jordana and Shoshana, and two grandchildren. Don and Helen lived in Garden Grove for 48 years and raised their daughters there. Don enjoyed coaching their teams in the Garden Grove Girls Softball League and American Youth Soccer Organization and he supported their activities with the Pacifica High School Marching Band. During those years, he delighted in participating in pick up tennis matches at the local high school courts on Saturday mornings. Don adored his grandchildren and made trips whenever he could to San Diego to see them play T-ball, soccer or volleyball. He famously taught his daughters to do "death drops" off the high bar on the backyard swing set when they were young and he carried on by teaching his grandson to go down the slide head first when he was a toddler. He loved family get togethers in Vallejo and San Diego and the card games that would finish out the evenings. To his family, Don was recognized as the best cribbage player on the planet! The jazz community of Orange County will certainly miss this talented member. Don entertained in the area for over 50 years, building a loyal base of avid supporters and guest singers. He was known for his ability to transpose music on the spot into any key, provide the next word or phrase to any flustered singer and he could never be stumped when asked, "Say, I wonder if you know a song, it goes like..." From Don's first musical partner, Jerry Holton, through his solo career and on to his later groups, "A Little Bit of Broadway" and "The Sunset Jazz Band," Don was respected by musicians, singers and listeners of all ages.
