Donald Lee Scales

Donald Lee Scales, 73, of Bloomington passed away April 27, 2014, at home. Don was born December 2, 1940, in Martinsville, IN, the youngest son of Shirley Sylvanus and Anna (Bowman) Scales. Don attended Martinsville High School and was active in band, the amateur radio club, and the science club. He was always proud to be part of "The Class of 1959." In 1962, he received his Electronic Engineering Degree from Valparaiso Technical Institute (Valparaiso, IN). After graduating, he worked for Indiana University as the Audio Engineer of the Audio Visual Recording Studio. He left IU in 1988 to pursue his own freelance career Scales Film and Sound as an Audio Recordist/Mixer until he retired in 2011. During his career, he was known and respected for being a perfectionist, his attention to detail, and the quality of the work he produced. In return, he expected others to strive for the same work ethic. His careers enabled him to travel and meet many dignitaries, actors, performers, and professionals. In 1980, he married Aileen (Teague) Marsee and immediately became a father to Janette (Marsee) Bruner. He became a grandfather in 1993 to Kayla Bruner, who quickly learned how to wrap her "Pappy" around her little finger, which amazed many people. Don is survived by his wife of 34 years; daughter Janette (David) Bruner; granddaughter Kayla Bruner; brothers-in-law William Lawrance of Indianapolis and Jeff (Andrea) Teague of Louisville, KY; nieces and nephews scattered across the country. Don was proceeded in death by his father, Shirley Scales (1945); mother, Anna Scales (1994); sister Bonita Lawrance (2009); brothers Dale Scales (2002), Gilbert (Gib) Scales (1987), Ronnie (1932); nephew Kenny Scales (2009); niece Sue Ann Lawrance (1991). For 30 years, Don spent every 4th of July on top of the Martinsville City (Jimmy Nash) Park hill setting up and shooting the aerial fireworks for the community and visitors to enjoy. Don was hired by Dave Keister to design, install, set up, and put the WCBK radio (Martinsville) station on the air in 1967. WCBK continues to operate today, but now in a digital format. Over the years, Don enjoyed designing and building just about anything electronic, scuba diving, flying/building radio-controlled airplanes, amateur radio (K9PYI), chess, traveling, and "good" food. He was an avid reader, always keeping himself current on technology as it evolved or changed. Don will be remembered as a companion, friend, the go-to electronics guy, and the person who wasn't afraid to push you to excel and strive for the best you could be. Funeral services for Donald will be held Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 1:00PM at Allen Funeral Home 4155 South Old Highway 37. Burial will follow in the Clear Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday May 2, 2014 from 3:00PM until 8:00PM also at Allen Funeral Home, as well as an hour before the funeral on Saturday from 12 Noon until 1:00PM. Memorial contributions may be made in Donald's honor to the Bloomington Lions Club, P.O. Box 5962, Bloomington, IN 47407 and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Donald Lee Scales

December 2, 1940 - April 27, 2014