Donald Boyd Sizemore

Born on September 28, 1941, to Donald and Cecil Sizemore, Buddy grew up in Lipscomb, Alabama, with a quick wit, a big heart, and a sense of humor not everyone understood. He graduated from Jones Valley High School and often joked that although he didn’t go to college, he did have five years of high school. Growing up, he loved reading about history, and to his family, he was the smartest man they knew.

He was known for his love for Jesus, his humor, and his spot-on Donald Duck voice - a talent he learned as a boy. Later in life, that same voice made him an unexpected internet sensation when his wife shared a video of him on Facebook that went viral, reaching over 15 million views. News outlets and national television shows interviewed and featured him, fueling his fifteen minutes of fame. His wife and children loved that others were getting to see what they had always seen in him, but what delighted him most was the opportunity it gave him to share the love of Jesus with more people.

He retired from the Social Security Administration after a long and dedicated career as a Claims Authorizer. He started out in the mailroom in his early twenties and quickly moved up the ranks, as his strong work ethic, integrity, and diligence gave him favor. He didn’t measure success by titles or degrees but by working with integrity and doing what was right in every task - especially when no one was watching.

Buddy was a founding member of Liberty Church in Hoover, Alabama, and rarely missed a Sunday. He loved to worship with everything in him, and during those moments, his voice could be heard throughout the church - a sound that testified to a faith deeper than words.

His Bible told the story of his life: pages worn thin, verses highlighted in red, and notes scribbled in the margins. His anchor through some of life’s hardest seasons was 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” He began holding to that verse when caring for his wife during her battle with ALS, and it became the foundation of faith for his family as well - a reminder of where to keep their eyes when the visible world was falling apart.

For most of his life, Buddy loved to fish. But after a battle with bladder cancer sixteen years ago, he put away his fishing boat and became a fisher of men. He poured his heart into visiting those that were homebound or in the hospital and spent his time sharing Jesus with everyone he met - praying with people and offering encouragement wherever he went. He was also a truth-teller, known to lovingly “light a fire under your behind” when that’s what it took to get you moving in the right direction.

His love for nature reflected his closeness with God. He knew the names and songs of countless birds and found peace in simply watching them - usually with binoculars up to his eyes and his big camera around his neck. He walked and biked for miles, and even during his hospital stay when doctors discovered the tumor that eventually took his life, they marveled that he was one of the healthiest 83-year-olds they had ever seen. He also loved to travel, especially with family - finding joy in both the journey and the time spent together along the way.

In February 2025, his McCalla home burned to the ground, the result of memory loss from a growing brain tumor no one yet knew existed. A month later, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. He did not fear death, and even with the diagnosis, he stood strong, ready to meet his Maker. He initially saw no need for treatment that would delay him meeting Jesus face to face, but he eventually agreed to three weeks of chemo and radiation, not for himself, but so that he could go on the long-planned Sizemore boys’ trip with his son Don and grandsons. After that, he said he was ready to see Jesus, and that’s exactly what he focused on.

Even during his own battle with cancer, Buddy never focused on himself. Through every treatment and hospital visit, he encouraged and shared Jesus with everyone he met - nurses, doctors, and strangers in waiting rooms, always eager to point people to Him. His worship never dimmed; his voice still rang out with those joyful “wooos” that became his trademark. His favorite phrase summed it up best: “It’s not about me. It’s all about Jesus.” Through TikTok, those same “wooos” and words of faith reached millions around the world, bringing encouragement, laughter, and hope to strangers who now call him “Donald Duck Dad.”

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Sandra Gayle Sizemore; his parents, Donald and Cecil Sizemore; and his sister, Ellen Domaschk. He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Leslie; his three children, Don “Boyd” (Michelle) Sizemore III, Lisa (Scott) Brister, and Sharon (David) Daniel; and by the grandchildren who adored him - Tyler, Kyle, Nick, Andrew, Rachel, Sarah, Hannah, Chelsie, Jacob, Abby, and Isaac - as well as a growing number of great-grandchildren who carry his legacy forward, and several nieces and nephews who thought of him as a father.

Buddy’s life was one of unwavering faith, joyful laughter, and clear purpose. He often reminded his family, “It’s all about Jesus,” and he lived that truth to the very end. His story is not over, because what he built - a legacy of faith and love - was never meant for this life alone.

The Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Liberty Church, 2732 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35216, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. A short graveside service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Buddy’s memory to give to Liberty Church in Hoover, Alabama. The church will distribute all gifts among the ministries he so passionately supported. Please notate “In memory of Buddy Sizemore” with your donation so the church can direct it accordingly.