12/09/2025
Don was a great friend to Alma Panther Athletics and the Alma Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.
Donald Patrick Goostrey, age 79, of Ithaca, MI, passed away peacefully on Monday,
December 8, 2025.
A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes in Ithaca at 11:00AM on Friday, December 12, 2025, with Rev. Matthew Derby officiating. A visitation will take place the hour before the service, beginning at 10:00AM. Burial will take place at Ithaca Cemetery at a later date.
Donald was born on June 1, 1946 - the first of six children for Richard and Marjorie
(Parling) Goostrey. Together with his siblings, he was blessed with a childhood filled with love, laughter, family, and friends. Don began working alongside his parents at Dick’s Studio when he was just ten years old. By the age of twelve, he had photographed his first wedding!
Don graduated from Ithaca High School in 1964, having served as the student photographer for both the school newspaper – The Growler – and the yearbook. He went on to earn an Associate’s Degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and work for the Eastman Kodak Company as a Darkroom Technician. Following the first moon landing in 1969, Don had the immense honor of being part of the team that printed the photographs depicting that “giant leap for mankind”.
Don returned to Michigan in the 1970’s to build a career as a professional photographer. Over the years, he captured some of life’s most exciting and precious moments for countless people throughout Gratiot County and beyond. In addition to working for and eventually owning Dick’s Studio, Don also worked for Edwards Photographic in Lansing, taught classes to aspiring photographers at Lansing Community College, and served as President of both the Ithaca Jaycees and the Triangle Association of Michigan for Professional Photographers. Don was also an avid sports fan, with Michigan State University being his MOST favorite to root for in both Football and Basketball. He was an active member of the MSU Rebounders Club for many years and even spent one summer traveling with Mateen Cleaves, capturing photos of his youth basketball camps.
While there is no doubt Don was an exceptionally talented artist with a camera, his greatest source of pride came from his children and grandchildren. As a father, he excelled at creating fun traditions around the holidays and unforgettable road trips – like a whirlwind weekend trip to Plains, Georgia for church with President Jimmy Carter or a visit to Wrigley Field to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with Harry Caray in his final year as announcer for the Chicago Cubs. As a grandfather, he happily traveled across the state for soccer, football, and basketball games, dance recitals, choir concerts, and marching band competitions. He never missed an opportunity to convey his unconditional love and support to his family.
Don spent the final year of his life at Rosewood AFC in Ithaca, where he enjoyed friendship and excellent care. He loved sitting on the porch when the weather was nice, listening to the birds, and watching the deer in the neighboring fields.
Don is survived by his children: Morgan (Rich) Lambert, Shawn (Rachel) Goostrey, and Jordon (Debra Rose) Goostrey; grandchildren: Grace, Samuel, Vivian, Maggie Rose, Jonah, McKenzie (Casey), Jacob, Dylan, Carter (Eryn), Christian, and Tyler; great- granddaughter Laney; siblings: Nancy Allen, Stephen (A.B.) Goostrey, Susan Jane (Tim) Hutchinson, and Lisa Goostrey; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jeff Goostrey, and brother-in-law John Allen.
Memorials may be made to Rosewood AFC. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.
