May 19, 1955 – July 27, 2026
Donald Lee Dobyns, affectionately known as “Don” and “Dude,” passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, in Colorado, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Don never met a stranger. If you met him once, you were family. Whether you had known him for thirty years or thirty minutes, he welcomed you with the same kindness, generosity, and genuine interest. If you needed advice, a laugh, a meal, a helping hand, or simply someone to listen, Don was there. He made everyone feel like they had someone in their corner.
Don lived a life defined by taking care of others. No matter the hour or what he had going on himself, if someone needed him, he showed up. He had an extraordinary ability to fix things, whether it was broken equipment, a difficult problem, or a heavy heart. He gave freely of his time, his knowledge, and his heart. He never kept score, never expected anything in return, and always put the needs of others ahead of his own. Helping others wasn’t something he did. It was simply who he was.
Brilliant, quick-witted, and full of life, Don had a laugh that could fill a room and a sense of humor that was impossible to forget. He loved making people smile and had a gift for turning even the most ordinary day into an adventure. His joy was contagious, and spending time with him was effortless because he made everyone feel welcome.
A proud United States Air Force veteran, Don dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. His passion for firearms instruction and safety led him to train everyone from law enforcement officers and military personnel to everyday citizens. He especially cherished the opportunity to train members of our nation’s Special Forces. On the range, he was known not only for his knowledge and skill, but also for his humor. While others focused on the seriousness of the work, Don found ways to make people laugh without ever losing sight of the importance of what he was teaching. He loved every minute of it.
Above all else, Don loved his family.
He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and the very proud “Dude” to his grandchildren. Before long, “Dude” wasn’t just what his grandchildren called him. It became the name almost everyone knew him by.
Nothing brought Don greater joy than his grandchildren. The strongest man in the room would instantly melt the moment one of those babies was placed in his arms. He loved teaching them, answering their endless questions and explaining how the world worked. They didn’t simply have a grandfather. They had a hero.
Don never missed the moments that mattered. School performances, sporting events, celebrations, milestones. If someone he loved was there, so was he. Loud, proud, cheering from the sidelines, and telling anyone who would listen just how amazing his kids and grandkids were. He celebrated every accomplishment as if it were his own.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald Dobyns Sr., and his dad, Richard Worcester Sr., along with all those who welcomed him home.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Genny; his children, Heath and Caitlin, who made him endlessly proud; his son-in-law, Jaime, whom he loved as his own; his grandchildren, Kaiden, Lucas, Weston, Jonas, and Taylor; his mother, Lois Worcester; his sister, Janice Dobyns; his brothers, Mike Dobyns, Dave Dobyns, and Richard Worcester, along with their spouses and families; and countless others who became family because that is exactly how Don lived.
When we think of Dude, we think of joy. We think of laughter. We think of unconditional love. We think of comfort. We think of home.
His family will forever miss his booming laugh, his goofy sense of humor, his unwavering strength, and the unconditional love he gave so generously. His legacy lives on in every life he encouraged, every person he helped, every lesson he taught, and every heart that is better because it knew him.
The world feels a little less safe without our protector, a little quieter without his laughter, and dimmer without his light. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing he is whole again and at peace.
If you want to honor Don, take care of someone. Make them laugh. Show up. Give more than is expected. Love loudly. That’s exactly how he lived.
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We invite our family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by Donald Lee Dobyns to join us as we celebrate his life and honor his legacy.
Dude was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, friend, mentor, patriot, protector, hero, and a man whose strength, grit, and love left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him. While our hearts are heavy, we take comfort knowing that his watch is complete, his mission fulfilled, and his legacy lives on through the people he loved and the lives he shaped.
We would be honored to have you join us as we gather to pay our respects and celebrate a life well lived.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Viewing: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Funeral Service: 10:30 AM, Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Burial with Military Honors: 1:00 PM, Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925
Thank you to everyone who has surrounded our family with your prayers, love, and support during this difficult time. Your kindness has meant more than words can express.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23
Rest easy, Dude. We have the watch from here.
People often talk about signs, asking for one or thinking if there was one, an odd juxtaposition alone. I always think it’s amusing as signs are literally everywhere. My dad had a love for all of God’s creations but a significant passion for reptiles. So I wanted to share a short anecdote from just yesterday. My youngest son, Weston, found a rattlesnake in the garage. He had asked me a few weeks ago what they sound like, I told him he’d know, he knew. Just hours earlier I had sent a video of my dad catching the only other one close enough to the house to be moved it was on driveway/front steps, not 10 feet from where this one was. West and I got him moved out into a field away from the house. But that was my dad saying hi, educating West and given him and I a similar moment I had shared with my dad many times. Some pop psychologists may call this confirmation bias. I’ve never been much for others, much less their opinions. Besides don’t look a gift horse when God sends comfort.
My dad was so amazing he created something in me that won’t allow me to dwell on his passing. His presence so great even in leaving earth, that it belittles his passing. Time cannot erode even the smallest part of who he is to me.
The last of the best, the best of the last. There are no words adequate to honor him nor describe my love for him and the endless enduring gifts he imparted to me. I am grateful to have had my dad for 47 years. I am blessed to have the best to ever do it. I’m proud and privileged to be the son of my mom and dad. They say anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. I don’t believe that, there is one Father we all share and there are some special men who become dads, other people have children. My dad was lucky because his dad was his hero, I am doubly blessed to have had two titans of men in my corner, my dad and his dad, Richard Worcester.
As an off duty police officer or even after he retired I can’t tell you how many times he jumped out at a red light or an intersection and stopped assaults, grabbed a wanted person, rescued people in an accident or assisted as needed. He got a civilian heroism award from CSFD when he worked for USPS for pulling a guy out of a burning house while he was delivering mail, dad finished his route. He crashed his Expedition into a fleeing suspect in Widefield while the active duty police were still trying to catch up.
My dad had more minutes in everyday than anyone I’ve ever seen. They weren’t always spent doing something huge like climbing Everest, besides he didn’t have time for such self serving matters. He lived in what many call the ‘good stuff’, time and experiences with those he loved, he loved everyone. Time is our most precious and fleeting resource, many don’t realize that but my dad lived that way. My mom summed it up succinctly when she said my dad had one mission in life: keep moving. I urge you here today to keep moving, whatever it is, just move and soak up the good stuff.
My dad was many things but to me he was my idol, someone to model myself after in every man’s quest to be better, it was effortless to my dad, inherent to his being. My dad was a constant in my life, both steadfast and reassuring. But more than anything I always felt and knew my dad’s love, it was largely by action, the truest, sweetest and most selfless kind of love as it gives of that most precious resource, time. And if you knew my dad, you know he showed up, every time, without fail or compromise to that moment.
I got my love and respect for nature and animals from my dad. My belief that all life is God’s gift and is to be protected from him. My ridiculously eclectic music taste from my dad. My curiosity, enjoyment of reading, fearlessness and so many wonderful traits from him. I drive like my dad, not terribly and then getting out of tickets with an old badge and a chat. I mean my hands and everything are where he had them. And to my family’s chagrin I got his love of terrible movies. But I cannot match up to his capacity to love but I promise him I’ll try. He taught me so much in life and is still teaching me as he has left life on earth.
Since dude’s passing I cannot count the number of times I’ve laughed so deeply it was if it was coming from belly, but it surely is less than the times I’ve bawled or cried out for my daddy. But those laughs tell me, he was the best, those cries tell me I’ve lost my hero and he will be missed till the ends. Well done, dude, daddy.