The world became a little dimmer early Friday, January 7, 2022, as Cleveland’s premier raconteur moved on to spin yarns in heaven. Donald Bruce Baldree (Don, Donnie, Don Juan, DB, The Donald, Baldree, Papa), came into this world on December 31, 1930, delivered to J.P. Baldree and Naomi Bruce Baldree by his paternal grandfather, Dr. Francis Marion Bruce in the family home in Homerville, GA. Awaiting his arrival were nine maternal aunts and uncles to spoil the first and favorite grandchild. However, the doting lasted only three years as J.P. moved the young family to Cleveland, TN where Don’s four younger siblings were born. Diphtheria would nearly claim Don shortly after the child prodigy started first grade at the tender age of five.