Obituary of Donald Sullivan

Don and I met in March of 2011. He and a group of runners came into the restaurant I was working at post-run. I had only known a small handful of runners at the time, and when I overheard his group talking about running, I zeroed in and talked his ear off about it. From that moment on, he was always a part of my life. 

Don was a force to be reckoned with in life. He was extremely smart, and not just book smart; he could handle himself in any situation. He was also extremely caring and kind, and once you were in his heart, he was never shy to let you know. His heart always went out to the underdog. He cared for the weak, the poor, the vulnerable, animals, and humans alike. He loved to teach. He loved to help others. He loved a good conversation, and he was always open to learning. He was also not afraid of speaking the truth, as he saw it. 

When Don got into running and decided it was his thing, boy, oh boy, he meant it. In a few short years, he went from doubting he could finish a half-marathon to winning full marathons. He didn’t keep his love of running to himself, though. He would become a pace team organizer, and if you were serious about wanting to give pacing a try, he would welcome you to the team. He changed the running careers of most every runner he met.

Don was also an avid animal lover, and his beloved dogs and cats were his faithful companions at home. I also have to mention all the “outsiders” he made sure we took care of. He had a number of racoon friends that would take a break from eating whatever we had left for them and give him a paw bump through the glass. The outsiders also include a family of black cats (that now live under our deck seemingly full-time), opossums, and squirrels. He even had a bird calmly follow him in and through the house once! Animals were his favorite people. 

With a keen sense of humor, Don brought laughter to those around him. Don gave everything he could to those he loved. His number one goal every day that we were together was to make me and Momz laugh. He had a heart of gold. 

Don was also extremely intelligent and well-read. He had a passion for history and politics. We had many lively and enlightening discussions about both. 

As my running partner, my friend, my best friend, and then finally my boyfriend and husband, he impacted every facet of my life and worldview. He brought out my confidence and my voice. 

He will forever be loved, and he will forever be missed. 

He is preceded in death by his father and his best friend, Osh Cowley. He is survived by his wife, Katie Jo Sullivan, mother, Diann M. Sullivan, brothers Thomas J.  and John L. Sullivan.

Service will be held at Cremation Society of Minnesota - Minneapolis Chapel. The service begins at 6:00pm on Friday, July 19th 2024.

Address: 4343 Nicollet Avenue

                Minneapolis, MN 55409