Obituary of Donald E. Proulx

With many heavy hearts, confusion, and sadness we have lost an adored husband, admired father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, brother in law, father in law, uncle, cousin, friend, colleague, and mentor to many.

Donald Eugene Proulx left us on October 21
2018 at his home surrounded by his family.  Don is survived by his wife of
53 years, Tonya and children Terri (Roy), Don, Jr., Jennifer, and Shaun
(Nancy); grandchildren to Ryan, Tyler, Tayler, Tannin, Abigail, Liam, Desire,
Charity (Miguel); and great-grandfather to Serenity, Sebastian and Ayra.

He overcame and powered his way through an
extremely difficult and very poor childhood to become an extremely deep thinker
with thoughts that created life changing programs reaching multiple people and
communities which are still valued and remain models of success today.  He
overcame the odds by dedicating himself with his desire and determination.

At the age of 11 years old, he stated he
wanted to be a truck driver. Realizing he needed a bigger challenge, he took
control of his destiny. Through education and critical thinking, he
flourished.  He surrounded himself with multiple mentors that inspired him
to his successful career. He became the youngest Dean at Pima Community College
where he developed the health program, which is still in existence today. 
Through Project Hope, AHECC, creating and directing CHW NEC and as a consultant
to C3, he was determined to make life better for rural and marginalized
communities.

He received numerous awards and honors, and
is recognized for countless publications and presentations. He was determined.
He was demanding, yet he was forgiving and understanding.

He was an educator and a life long
learner.  He wanted to give opportunity to all people...everywhere. He
understood diversity and he understood the communities he engaged. He was a
forward thinker!

There is no doubt he was a very complex and
complicated person. An introvert and an extrovert. He was hard to relate to and
easy to relate to at the same time. He was resourceful and a resource to many
that knew and worked with him.

He obsessed over everything which many of us
know was both good and bad. Constantly working constantly educating ,
correcting,  searching, and seeking peace of mind in his pursuit of
wanting to know. He was always dying to know.

He cared more about others than he cared
about himself.  He was often misunderstood and mistaken at times. He had
fears as do we all, but he was mentally stronger!!

His commitment was his daily triumph of
integrity wherein he never surrendered to skepticism.

His greatest family accomplishments were
graduating his children and grandchildren through St. Joseph’s school, Tuller
School and Salpointe with oratory contest winners and science fair
awards.  He has children who are University graduates and are successful
in their careers. Having an Olympic caliber gymnast and an epileptic daughter
that beat the odds. True Family accomplishments!

All while professionally, in a humbling way,
accomplishing for the greater good of his passion for others.

As a family and friends, as well as close
colleagues,we wondered if his brain would ever explode. None of us knew that it
was his heart exploding for all of us!

He gave .... many took ... picked his brain
due to his high intellect.

His death happened quick and in reality as he
grew and developed it was his heart, passion, and drive that kept exploding.

He left all of us but leaves behind an
unbelievable legacy!

We love you

Hope this did the family, friends, and
colleagues proud.

I do wish I could’ve had my dad review. I’m
sure I would’ve heard,as many have heard,

“.........Give me that, this is how you do
it!”