Donald "Don" Barrigar

Donald D. “Don” Barrigar, 68, passed away at home in the early morning hours of May 9, 2026, surrounded by his family, after an almost two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

A private funeral service will be held, followed by an interment at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family welcomes all to join for a Celebration of life at The Carriage House (129 12^th St SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403) on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 2:00pm – 7:00pm.

Don is survived by his wife, Diann, of 42 years; their children, Jessica Stuer (Kyle), Jackson Barrigar (Maddy Salucka), Victoria Barrigar (Coley Nauholz); three grandchildren, Jack Stuer, Dean Stuer and Sloan Barrigar, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his two sisters, Sharon Jadrnicek and Linda Krog (Dennis); his mother-in-law, Sally Henry; other in-laws, Glen Henry (Mary), Mary Ann Peterson, Carolyn Morgan (Charlie), and Cathy Mullin; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends all whom he loved dearly, including his beloved Springer, Gus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald L. and Vivian “Vicki” Barrigar; father-in-law, Richard “Dick” Henry; brother-in-law, Robert Jadrnicek; niece, Candace Bassett; nephew, Nathan Mullin; and his best friend, Gunnar Munson.

Born March 9th, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Don attended Franklin Middle School and graduated from Washington High School Class of 1976. His early years were spent running around the back room of his father’s company Acme Electric, working as the “shop boy” sweeping the floor, sorting nuts and bolts, and making material runs learning alongside skilled electricians.

After high school, Don went on to graduate with a degree in Electrical Construction and Maintenance from Dunwoody Technical College in Minneapolis. He returned to Cedar Rapids and joined the IBEW Local 405 Apprenticeship where he obtained his Journeyman License and, shortly after, his Masters License in 1985.

Having held every job at Acme Electric throughout his career Don ultimately checked the final few boxes as he succeeded his father as owner and President in 1991. Later transitioning to CEO in 2021, a role he held until his death. Regardless of what his business card read, Don always described himself as “an Electrician” – he always said it with such pride. Acme Electric remains a proud third-generation family-owned business, now carried on by his three children.

Don served on numerous state and local boards within the electrical industry. Always advocating for the importance of the training and apprenticeship programs offered within the union. In 2025, Don received the Iowa Chapter NECA Industry Leadership Award highlighting his dedication to leaving his industry better than he found it. Don always understood the importance of running his business by doing the right thing, he believed in people and trusted them to make the right call. He cared deeply for his employees and got such gratification from supporting them and seeing them succeed.

Don was always a proud Cedar Rapidian and had a passion for supporting many local organizations and initiatives. He served on numerous boards and was continually involved in volunteer opportunities with The District. Don loved to witness and take part in the development of his community.

He was a fiercely loyal husband, father, and friend. He loved his friends like family and each relationship he formed over his 68 years remained significant throughout every stage of his life. On paper his achievements were endless, but at the end of the day Don was a simple man; herding the family over for Sunday pasta dinners, watching his kids and grandkids run the yard, singing with his guitar on a lazy weekend afternoon, mowing his “two drink” yard and frequenting The Keg with his friends. Don’s priorities above all were spending as much time as he could with his wife, his kids, and grandkids. Summer weekends were often spent together at their cabin on the Mississippi River – packing a cooler and finding a sandbar, floating in the backwaters, or fishing. Don loved tending to his boat and car, he always had a honey-do list to tackle and enjoyed a nice afternoon round of golf. He never missed an annual hunting or fishing trip, and always valued spending quality time with his lifelong friends.

While Don leaves a legacy of success in every part of his life, his accomplishments were simply a result of his passions and meant nothing if he couldn’t share them with others.

We would like to thank those who walked beside Don and our family for the past two years. Your support and unwavering love is appreciated and has not gone unnoticed. We would also like to thank Don’s medical teams, Dr. Ann Stroh and her team at Hall-Perrine here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as Dr. Jazieh and Dr. Warsame at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester – We are forever grateful for their compassion, knowledge, and persistence that kept us all moving forward throughout his journey.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial contributions be made to The Oak Hill Cemetery Association or His Hands Free Clinic.

Please share your support and memories with Don’s family on his obituary page at www.stewartbaxter.com under the Obituaries tab.