Donald Watson Games

Donald Watson Games, 98, a longtime resident of Mentor, Ohio died in peace Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Novant Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Don was born January 28, 1924, in South Solon, Ohio. The son of schoolteachers, he grew up on a farm that is still in the family, since 1806. Don’s college years at The Ohio State University were interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. The Army decided he was needed on the front lines of Europe, so Don served as an artillery gun operator in France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Don returned to OSU and met student nurse, Yolanda Finomore on a blind date which he considered “the luckiest day of my life”. He graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1947 and they married in 1949. In 1955, he co-founded Production Machinery Corporation in Mentor, Ohio, eventually becoming its President and CEO until retirement. An ardent Ohio State Buckeye fan, Don held season tickets well into his 90s. An even greater Scrabble enthusiast, visiting family members found themselves around the kitchen table playing daily. All in all, Don played thousands of games of Scrabble over the decades including winning his fair share just days before his passing. No matter the circumstances, he would register his appreciation of the past and optimism for the future by ending letters or conversations always with a “Happy Days!” Don was preceded in death by his parents, Watson Early Games and Anna Leola (Seip) Games; and his sisters, Barbara Lee Games, Elizabeth Louise “Betty Lou” Regner, and Mary Helen Gerwin. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Yolanda Mary (Finomore) Games; children, Donald William Games (Rebecca), Richard Alan Games (Karen), Kathleen Games Blank (Jeffry), and John Howard Games (Carol); many nieces, nephews, 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and his sister, Patricia Ann Rhonemus. The family will receive friends from 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2022 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022 in the Chapel at Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Don was a member for 62 years. Entombment will follow at Knollwood Cemetery, Mayfield Heights, OH. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Donald Watson Games

January 28, 1924 - October 13, 2022