Donald Carter Prim Jr. was born on October 1, 1946 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away December 13, 2016 in San Diego, California. Donald moved to San Diego, California with his parents Donald and Marion Prim when he was about 5 years old. San Diego became home for Donald, affectionately known as "Donnie". He attended Herbert Hoover High School and San Diego City College until Uncle Sam invited him to join the Army for the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War until 1969 when he returned home to San Diego. On July 1, 1972 he married Marcia Abel and settled down in La Mesa, California where they raised their two daughters, Carlie and Diane. Soon after settling in La Mesa, Donnie and dear friend Larry Storck started Unique Metal Products (UMP). Unique Metal Products soon became known for their quality craftsmanship, unique fabrication, and welding for drag racing, boat racing, sand cars, dune buggies, off-road, custom bodywork, gas tanks, wings, power steering, and any custom aluminum work the customers could dream up. After UMP was sold Donnie continued to use his talents as a "metal engineer" for the antique aircraft community and countless other design projects that needed a special touch. In 1977 Donnie fulfilled his dream of becoming a private pilot, he had taken a $5.00 flight with someone early on which sparked his interest in becoming a pilot, this evolved into a love of flying that was unstoppable. He continued on to become an instructor. For Donnie family and fun were at the top of the list for what came first in his life. Fun was always a part of his family experience and was almost always dictated by what he was learning next. Donnie craved learning new things and this always drove him to many new experiences, fishing, flying, boats, scuba-diving, engines, racing, motorcycles, desert, camping, buggies, golfing, traveling, Baja, teaching by experience, and new friends. Donnie is survived by his loving wife Marcia; daughter, Diane Criscenti, grandsons, Austin and Aiden; daughter, and son-in-law, Carline and Mark Hanchett, grandsons, Spencer and Grant; Sister, and brother-in-law, Denise and Dennis Schiffer, nephew Tyler Prim, his wife Kassandra, great-niece Harper and great-nephew Gage. Brother, and sister-in-law, Gary and Yukari Prim, and niece Mia. And lastly, his beloved Golden Retriever of 15 years, Miss Dusty Rose. Services are the following: Miramar National Cemetery, Burial Services December 28, 2016 @ 1:30pm (Please arrive by 1pm , services lasting approx 1/2 hour) 5795 Nobel Drive San Diego, CA 92122 Celebration of Life January 7, 2017 @ 1pm Allen Airways Flying Museum 2020 North Marshall Avenue El Cajon, CA 92020