Members of the Spivey family accepted a lifetime achievement award on behalf of Don Spivey at Whitefish City Hall last week.  

The award honors the community servant’s countless hours dedicated to Whitefish. 

Don passed away in March at the age of 93. 

He was last in the City Hall chambers a couple of years ago when he and his wife Judy were celebrating their 75th anniversary. 

It was a testament to his true life-long commitment to the city.  

“To being the guy who all the kids went to for their bicycle repairs, to having the skin of an alligator when standing up for his community on the planning commission, Don with Judy, had a desire to make things better, without a desire for recognition,” Mayor John Muhlfeld said at the Aug. 18 meeting. “But he gets it tonight.”  

Don served on the City County Planning Board from 1992-1997, the City Board of Adjustment from 2001-2009, and the Bike and Pedestrian Committee from 2002-2010. He served on a number of committees such as for the Plans Unit Development rewrite, the transportation plan, and the U.S. 93 median plan.  

He volunteered with Citizens for a Better Flathead, Rails to Trails, Whitefish Community Gardens and Glacier Nordic Club, to name a few organizations.  

Judy also served with the Whitefish Housing Authority from 2001-2010.  

“You are both a model for how all citizens should care,” Muhlfeld said.  

Their generosity didn’t fall far from the tree. Don was raised by parents who believed in giving back, his father a physician at a free clinic in Los Angeles and his mother volunteering with Boy Scouts for about 70 years.  

“Don grew up to care for the earth, respect public places and to repay the blessings he received from his parents,” Muhlfeld said.  

On Judy’s side, her parents were dedicated to the church and gardened throughout the depression and beyond. Her mother sewed clothes for charities in Africa.  

“Life is grounded in giving... the same values Don and Judy shared together with us in Whitefish,” Muhlfeld said.  

Don and Judy passed down their values, having raised four children with 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  

Councilor Andy Fuery said he first met Don at a young age. Fuery described how instead of going away mad with the city’s decisions, Don would come back with persistence.  

“I will always be indebted to him for the work he did,” Fuery said. 

Councilor Rebecca Norton said she was new when she first served with Don on the Board of Adjustment.  

“Being next to him, it felt like I was sitting next to a mountain, because he was so grounding,” she said. “Even though he was very firm about what he didn’t think was right, he was really kind with his interactions.”  

Norton described him as articulate, well researched and a joy to be around. 

“It’s amazing to me to see the heart people put into this community. It’s just a beautiful legacy,” she said.  

Councilor Frank Sweeney said Don set an example of “somebody who wanted to a part of the community and not be something else.”  

Councilor Steve Qunell said it felt like Don’s list of services was not comprehensive.  

“It’s because his footprints are over all over everything we do here. From the lake, to the river to the trails,” he said.  

In Don's obituary is a quote from Dr. Suess. 

"You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way." 

    Whitefish community members and City staff gather to honor the spirit of Don Spivey's volunteerism on Monday, Aug. 18. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)