Donald Kocevar Jr.
Donald "Donny" Kocevar Jr. passed away on August 4, 2023, after a brave 2.5 year battle with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma.
He leaves behind his loving wife Jessica (nee Somerville) and children Shelby, Shawn, Shana, Shyanne, Alexis, and Madelyn Kocevar. He is also survived by his bonus (step) children Chelsea, Jacob, and Caleb Cantrell, brothers David Kocevar and Bobby Leonard, Grandmother Barb White, mother in law Kathy Somerville, sisters in law Christina (Theiss) Hayden and Julie Theiss, nephew Josh Walker, niece Riley Leonard, close friends Justin Brady and Dan Osborne, and beloved dog, Chester.
Donny was preceded in death by his mother Kim (White) Hoffecker, grandfather John White, uncle Shawn White, aunt Kelly White, and nephew Chris Walker.
He was born on October 29, 1980. He grew up in Painesville Township, Mentor on the Lake and Willoughby/ Eastlake area. Donny earned a living as a truck driver. Starting out driving a garbage truck then ending with a cement mixer truck. He loved music, such as 80's big hair bands (especially Alice In Chains), country, metal, and classic rock. He enjoyed traveling, trying new restaurants, grilling, being outdoors, bonfires, family and friends, river walking, Netflix shows, tattoos, Halloween and Jeeps. He was a Harley Davidson enthusiast. He was known for his Levi jeans, fresh pair of shoes and flannel shirts. He had quite the shoe collection! Donny's favorite place was the Gulf of Mexico, where he, Jessica and the kids made many memories together. He enjoyed eating fresh seafood, searching for seashells at the edge of the ocean. He also loved searching for alligators and boa constrictors in the Everglades. Donny was a gentle, soft hearted, loving father, husband and friend who tried his best to help anybody in need. He had quite a silly side to him that could make anyone laugh. He was also quite the level headed, rational "peace maker" when need be. To know Donny, was to love him! He proudly just celebrated 6.5 years of sobriety from alcohol. Even though Donny has entered his eternal life, his memory will live on forever through his family and friends.
"You're like a shooting star in the rain, you're everything that feels like home to me."
Cremation will be handled by Blessings Cremation Center. At Donny's request, there will be no services.
In honor of Donny, and others battling cancer, please consider donating in his name to the National Foundation of Cancer Research.