Donald Francis Overheu's Obituary
Donald Francis Overheu, 74, of Leesburg, VA, passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.
Donald was born on September 23, 1941, in Chicago, IL. He was a son of the late William and Marjorie Overheu. He was raised by loving foster parents, Bob (deceased) and Doris Becker.
He attended school in the Chicago area, then joined the Army where he served for several years, including time spent guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After serving in the Army, he began his life long career of selling Oriental Rugs by working at W J Sloanes in Bethesda. He later went on to open and run several of his own stores in Tysons Corner and Great Falls. He was a self-educated Oriental rug expert who enjoyed the friendships he made with other rug merchants, spending many hours playing backgammon, discussing international events from the Middle East where many of their families were from, and developing the kind of knowledge about the rugs that not that many Americans have. As he went into semi-retirement he could still be found seeking out the great deal on his next rug almost weekly. His clients from his rug business also became some of his best friends and he truly found the people aspect of his business as rewarding as the sales part.
He was the kind of man who never met a stranger, and was always cooking and delivering delicious recipes he created to family and friends. In his younger days, he and Marilyn would take youth from their D.C. neighborhood to baseball games that they otherwise would not be able to attend. He would pile them in the car and treat them to a nice afternoon at the stadium. He was lucky to see one of these former young men at Washington Hospital Center who told him that because of him, he learned to like white people since at that time the country was still not fully integrated. He was known for helping anyone in need, he personally bought and delivered baby and children’s items, furniture and clothing to people he heard were in need and took the time to follow up and make sure things were all right after the initial help. He had an unbelievably generous heart and everyone who was fortunate enough to have him in their lives knew they could call him day or night and he would answer and be there to assist. His door was always open and his hospitality was legendary.
He loved his family most of all. He based his choices on providing the best to his family, moving to where the best schools were when the kids were younger, enjoying time playing and teaching his kids tennis, golf (as much as they would cooperate) and providing a place to live where they could enjoy horseback riding and hikes along the Potomac River. He loved animals and indulged his children by allowing them to acquire many through the years including dogs, cats, rodents and horses. Linda always had a pet sitter when she travelled and her dogs would have a great time being spoiled by him with treats and going to dog parks. He also enjoyed sports, coaching Linda’s teams, volunteering as a referee, and watching the Redskins and Cubs. Don took his family on many memorable beach vacations, and had fun with his grandchildren in the ocean and pools each summer. A tradition that he had was to let each daughter and later each grandchild pick a local destination like a theme park and he would treat them and their friends to a fun day. He did this several times each summer for many years.
His oldest granddaughter Heather was the light of his life when she arrived. They spent countless hours together through the years, he was like a Dad to her. She would climb on his rugs as a baby and has been an accomplished Backgammon and Chess player since she was young. They loved listening to Louis Armstrong together and he bought her many instruments when he saw she could play it by ear on her recorder. He spent countless hours encouraging her interests, especially her ice skating lessons and competitions. Even at the very end he found the strength to put a hand out to comfort her when we thought he was unresponsive. This special bond is a gift to both of them that will live on.
Poppop, as he was known, treasured the time he spent with all of his grandkids. He was the instigator of many tickling and roughhousing matches with Aiden and had such sweet, special times playing with Claire and Nick. He will live on in our hearts and will be missed every day.
A favorite bit of advice that he gave is “Baby, you make your own luck” and he sure did.
Donald leaves his family to cherish his memory including his beloved wife of 46 years, Marilyn Ruth Overheu. He was a devoted father to daughters, Karen Overheu Walker (Tom) and Linda Tracy Overheu. Also survived by two brothers, William and Richard Overheu and a sister, Karen Armstrong; foster brother, Curt Becker and foster sisters Cathy and Caryn; 4 grandchildren, Heather, Aiden, Claire, and Nicholas and several nieces and nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents, Donald was predeceased by his siblings, Chuck, Jerry, and Sally.
The family will receive friends on Monday March 28 at 2pm for the viewing at Loudoun Funeral Chapel 158 Catoctin Circle, SE Leesburg, Virginia 20175.
Funeral services will follow immediately after viewing at 5pm at the funeral home.
A celebration of life will follow at Karen’s house, 39522 Mount Gilead Rd, Leesburg 20175. Everyone is invited to attend. We will try to uphold the Eleventh Commandment “Thou Shalt Not Fall” but no promises.
Interment will be held privately at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to National Kidney Foundation 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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