Donny was born in Salt Lake City to Clara and Don Espinoza. On April 17, 1974 the VanLeeuwen\s, Dave, Judy and John took him into their home as a foster child, later to be fully adopted at the age of 5. Donny was always a delightful child and we loved him very much.
He was always protective of younger children and also had a lot of friends throughout his life. Unfortunately, his problems began at adolescence and around the time of the death of his father which he felt responsible for up until this day. Although life was hard for him, and it was hard to watch all the bad that befell upon him, Donny still remained a good a friend and counselor to his friends and fellow inmates, you couldn\t help but love him. Donny always had a lot of support around him his whole life, including Ray Walker who acted as a second father. Whenever he had a problem he knew he could ask Raymond for help and it was always given to him.
Donny was Judy\s \"Knight in Shining Armor\" because he helped her very much, when she felt it was her that should be helping him. It was a mutual support Donny was an advocate for the homeless Native Americans and befriended them throughout his life. He would often invite them to our home without notice. Donny considered himself a Native American and learned many of their customs and ways. He is now free to be off to his happy hunting ground where he always wanted to be. It is unclear what caused Donny\s death but we would like to believe his big heart just burst and he is now out of pain.
He is survived by; his son Tyson, mother Judy, brother John (Chrissy) and nephews Ian and Keegan, step-dad Ray Walker, step-sister Kallie Mousaw (Doug) and children McKaela and RJ, auntie Jan Rivers (Rick), Felicia (John) and children, half-brother Adam Espinoza, and fiancé Vonda and her children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly and would do anything for them. As well as all of Vonda\s brothers and family that he considered his own. Preceded in death by; his father Dave, Grandma and Grandpa Sander, aunties Ann and Mary and their surviving families.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. Interment services will be held at a later date at the Lakoda Indian Reservation in Cherry Creek, South Dakota. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.larkinmortuary.com.
