Donald Wayne "D.W." Moss, 82, of Dawsonville, died Nov. 11, 2015.

Born July 13, 1933 to the late Emmett and Estell Elrod Moss, he was a lifelong resident who loved Dawson County.

Having a great love for children and compassion for those in need, Donald helped many to have a meal, Christmas gifts, clothes or a place to live.

He was a member and 50-year mason at Etowah Masonic Lodge No. 222 F&AM, a Shriner and also a member of the Scottish Rite.

In 1989 he started a community egg hunt that reached the point of hiding 145,000 eggs and giving out thousands of prizes.

Donald served on the first planning commission for Dawson County.

Working as a builder and developer most of his life, he had constructed more than 1,000 houses, worked with the International Steel Operator Engineers in the 1950s, who set the steel on all the major bridges that span Lake Lanier, and took great pride in helping to construct the Nuclear Lab on the current Dawson Forest property, the Atlanta Farmers Market, the Federal Reserve Bank Building in Atlanta and many others.

His brother, Harold Moss, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sister-in-law, Lois Moss of Gainesville; various other relatives also survive.

Graveside services were held at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at Moss Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, Donald requested that donations be made to the Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 182 Nix Bridge Rd., Dawsonville, GA 30534 or Etowah Masonic Lodge No. 222, P.O. Box 1702, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.