Donald E. Lancaster (Grandfather “Pop”) was born January 14th, 1937. He trained through School, and the University of Richmond to become a radio announcer. After many years of training he found himself at Capitol Airlines as passenger service manager, despite his efforts the business went bankrupt and he later became a representative for Appleton papers. Appleton paper was the start of a whole new era of receipts with the “Carbon copy” on the back of the original paper for filling reasons.
While at Appleton Paper his wife past away due to breast cancer, after that struggle he eventually left Appleton paper due to his daughter’s (my mom) tragic car accident, 3 months of praying and a 3 week coma, she lived. After that accident he bought a travel agency in 1987 and also was managing a restaurant “Back Ally Tavern” in 1990. In 2004, my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer, 3 spots in his right lung. In February of 2004 they removed his whole right lung due to it taking over. The cancer then returned in September of 2006 and he went under radiation and chemotherapy simultaneously from September until March of 2007. During these months he lost his hair, strength, and 30 pounds but he was determined and fought every day. All these tragedies and tough times in his life, are what make him my ultimate hero, and that all these things happen for a reason… it's life.