Donald William Baucom, 88, of Boone North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2024, in Boone, NC.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Hampton Funeral Home in Boone, NC on March 2, 2024, at 11:00 am.

Don was born in Stanley County on December 6, 1935, the first of three children to Dowd and Ruth Baucom.  With the family move to Charlotte, he completed Harding High School in 1953.  He became the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1957. He taught in the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system following graduation.  In 1969 he was appointed Director of Transportation for the school system and oversaw the busing program during the difficult period that brought integration to the schools.  Later duties included legislative liaison of the NC School Transportation Department to the NC Department of Education and serving on the NC Legislative Commission representing the NC Transportation Department.

After retiring from the school system, Don served as a Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem and later as Program Supervisor for the 26th Judicial District for the program. He also took tremendous pride in helping raise his granddaughter and teaching her the joys of playing in Winkler Creek.

In 2005, he married his wife Denna who became his loving companion for the rest of his life.

Don is survived by his wife Denna, daughter Elizabeth Gunn (Kevin) of Carrboro, NC, granddaughter Ariel Gunn of Scottsdale, AZ, and sisters Willie Lambert and Brenda Olliffe, both of Beaufort NC. He also leaves behind his stepchildren Doug Nixon (Laurie) and Lesley Nixon as well as his step-grandson Sam. He loved them all dearly and will be deeply missed.

Don also leaves his numerous cousins and other relations who, because of him, have celebrated an annual family gathering in the mountains for almost three decades.

When asked about donations in lieu of flowers, Don expressed that he wished people would instead go out and enjoy a special time with their family. For anyone that wishes to make a donation, please consider the Watauga Humane Society or Tunnels to Towers.