Donnie Odell Stairs was born in Selma, CA on February 11th 1958. On July 6th 2022, he was welcomed to his heavenly home preceded by his father Charles Odell Stairs. Donnie is survived by his loving wife Barbara Stairs, his loyal sons Wayman and Ethan Stairs and grandsons Austin and Carson Stairs, his mother, Anna Luetta Stairs, his sister Patricia Woods and family, and his brother Wayne Stairs and family.

Donnie was raised in Caruthers, CA where he would attend school and work on the family ranch. It was Caruthers where he found his love for football, rock and roll, and most importantly his community, specifically the Caruthers Blue Raiders Youth Football Organization.

However, he would have to leave Caruthers to find the real love of his life.  At the age of 18, Donnie attended an HVAC trade school in Phoenix, AZ with his best friend. It was there that he would meet his beautiful wife, Barbara Lovel, who was his apartment neighbor…he was "the boy next door".  Donnie and Barbara were married on November 25th 1978. They were married for 43 years. Within those 43 years they made a lifetime of memories together with their sons.  From trips to Disneyland to visiting the Grand Canyon to camping trips in the mountains where they would talk around the campfire and "drown worms" (also known as fishing). Spending time with his boys and grandsons was a top priority for Donnie.

Donnie and his family ultimately made their way back to Caruthers where they remained. Donnie spent most of this life farming the family property, Stairs Farms Inc. with his father and brother. He worked long and hard to not only provide for his family but help them thrive.

Donnie was also a coach for 21 years for the Caruthers Youth Football League. In that time, not only did he coach his own sons, his pride and joy,  but hundreds of other sons (some daughters too) of the community.  His gametime speeches were legendary, he had the admiration and respect of his peers and players but most importantly the lives he touched were improved by knowing him. This was echoed in a statement by one of his former players, "Donnie was a great man of character. Taking in all young men into the youth football program regardless of their financial status. He made sure they got that opportunity to play. Many, and I mean many, young lives were steered into the right direction because of Donnie. Donnie is one of the main reasons that Caruthers football is what it is…"

Donnie loved many things from his special coffee time every Saturday morning with his mother, to supporting, playing, and laughing with his nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces who adored him.  He loved the 49ers, motorcycle rides, his mother's chicken and dumplings, Barbara's impossible coconut pie, Pat's homemade ice cream and chocolate cake, dressing up for a halloween party, rock and roll, biscuits and gravy, Jiminy Cricket, but nothing more than his family and friends.

Donations in Donnie's memory may be mailed to:

Caruthers Youth Football League

PO Box 973

Caruthers, CA 93609