Donald Gaskins

February 12, 1931 - March 16, 2021

Donald L. Gaskins, 90, passed away peacefully in St. Cloud, Florida on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Donald (Don) was born on February 12, 1931 in Des Moines, Iowa to Floyd and Charolette Gaskins. He was married nearly 60 years to Jean E. Gaskins. He was a devout Christian and loved the Lord. Jesus Christ was his Savior. Don and his wife spread the word everywhere they went. Don was a very loving father and a devoted husband to his wife Jean. Don worked as a TV repairman for 5 years in St. Pete, Florida followed by 30 years as an Electronic Engineer at Martin Marietta in Orlando, Florida. Don and his wife enjoyed camping in their early years. He learned and played Mandalin in bands in his early days. Later in life he became an accomplished fiddle player. He played with the “The Dixie Bells and The Dingalings” and “The Osceola Drifters”. He performed at church, festivals, campgrounds, senior centers, nursing homes and was also in many parades. Don and his wife Jean took up square dancing early in their marriage. After taking square dance lessons with Bill Ford, they became members of the Firehouse Squares club in Orlando, Florida. In 1973, Don and his family moved to St. Cloud, Florida where he became a part time farmer while still maintaining his full-time job at Martin Marietta. He raised chickens, pigs, and cows. He always had a garden going with plenty of fresh vegetables produced throughout the year. After moving to St. Cloud, Don and his wife Jean joined the Wagon Wheels square dance club where they danced for many years every Friday night and eventually became square dance callers and cloggers. Don was preceded in death by his wife Jean Gaskins, parents Floyd and Charolette Gaskins, brothers Floyd (Junior), Joseph (Joe), Robert (Bobby) Gaskins, his sister Carolyn Carlson and infant son Donald L. Gaskins Jr. Surviving are his son Donald (Brenda) Gaskins II and daughter Patricia (Charles) Chapman, and grandchildren Charlie (Michelle) Chapman, Cynthia (Doc) Blanton, Natalie (Abraham) Acosta, 3 great grandchildren Cassidy Chapman, Nathan Acosta, Jonathan Acosta and his brother Richard Gaskins. Visitation (viewing) will be held at Fisk Funeral Home from 4:00PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 1107 Massachusetts Ave in St. Cloud, Florida 34769. Services will be held on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Mount Peace, 775 East 10th Street, St. Cloud, Florida 34769.