Friends, family mourn slain LV man

Heather Rawlyk

Monday, Feb. 9, 2004 | 11:19 a.m.

Family and friends who gathered Sunday evening remembered Donald Ursem as an honest man, a Corvette enthusiast and a devoted husband, father and friend.

The 61-year-old man was shot and killed by a gunman who had knocked on his door and demanded his wallet Thursday night at his home on the 5700 block of Carl Avenue, near Vegas Drive and Jones Boulevard.

"A tragic act of violence happened Thursday night," Ursem's son, Perry, said at the memorial held Sunday at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 Lone Mountain Road. "The news said a man died around 10:30 p.m. But he was more than just a man, he was a part of the fabric of the community."

Perry Ursem described his father as "a son, a husband, father, brother-in-law, nephew, cousin, Marine, son-in-law, accountant, boss, business owner, colleague, Corvette nut, truck driver and great friend."

Ursem was watching television in his home Thursday when he answered the door about 8:30 p.m., police said.

His wife, Mary Jane Ursem, who was in another part of the house, told police she heard a strange voice ordering her husband to hand over his wallet, Metro Police Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Seconds later she heard a gunshot and ran to the door to find Ursem bleeding with a gunshot wound in the head, Monahan said. Ursem died about 10:30 p.m. at University Medical Center.

Detectives believe robbery was the motive; Ursem's wallet is missing, Monahan said.

Senior Pastor Kevin Odor addressed the way Ursem died at the beginning of the service, acknowledging the circumstances in which "evil occurred and violated" Ursem's loved ones, but urging attendees to not let a need for justice interfere with the grieving process.

"Something in our hearts cries for justice," Odor said. "Do not take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath."

Attendees instead focused on their friend and his legacy.

Dwayne Halter, general manager of Best Water Truck Service, a street cleaning company Ursem owned, described his colleague as a man with "spirit, honesty and integrity."

"Don and I go back 12 years," Halter said. "I picked up on his spirit the first moment I met Don. He was hard working, dedicated, and committed to everything he did."

Halter described the bond between Donald and Mary Jane Ursem, who were married 39 years, as strong and faithful.

"He and his wife, Mary Jane, had a strong bond and you seldom saw Don without Mary Jane too far behind," he said. "Don was faithful to relationships with his wife, children, friends. He was a kind man -- no man was kinder -- and he would do anything for you."

Tom Poyser, Mary Jane's brother, fought tears as he remembered the relationship he and Donald Ursem shared through 46 years of friendship.

"It was in 1960 that I really got to know Don, when he and my sister started to date," he said. "I remember when he picked her up for prom wearing a white tuxedo and driving his 1956 Plymouth he was so proud of.

"He was born with the blessing of a quiet personality and he always treated one as he wanted to be treated," Poyser said. "Since 1960 I did not see him do otherwise. He had a lot planned, but his circle of life was disrupted."

Ursem's daughter, Melody Ventham, touched on the suddenness of her father's death.

"You can't prepare for something like this," she said. "My dad had a big heart, with big bear hugs to go with it. I'm so happy he got to seem me get married. He was very happy that day, you can see it in the picture."

Ventham pointed to a picture of her parents, smiling for the camera at her wedding last year.

Perry Ursem also spoke optimistic words about his father, ending the service with a smile and a plan to see his father again someday.

"I know you're up there, cruising 100 miles per hour and having a good old time," he said. "When we meet you at the gate, have that engine warm and ready to go."

Anyone with information about Ursem's death is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or Metro's homicide section at 229-3521.