Don Allen Sellers, affectionately known as “The Mayor of Linden” was born December 4, 1960 in Columbus, Ohio to Bishop Eli and Mary Louise (Holmes) Sellers. The youngest of three siblings, Don immediately found a knack for sports and music. Don was a loving son, husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and uncle who passed away after a short illness on May 15, 2023.
A proud 1978 graduate of Linden-McKinley High School, Don cultivated his love of sports. During his time as a student, he played basketball, football and ran track. He played on the Panthers’ 1976 State Semifinal and the 1977 State Title basketball teams, with Ohio Player of the Year, Todd Penn. After graduating Don headed west to Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon to play football.
Don lived his life in love of basketball, community, family and shenanigans; he was the life of the party. His journey afforded him the opportunity to serve as an NBA scout for the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trailblazers and New Orleans Pelicans. He also served as the Director of Player Development for the Harlem Globetrotters East Coast Team, head coach of International Championship teams for the Chinese Basketball Association, Lebanese Basketball Association and the Hong Kong National Team. He served as Director of USA player personnel in Beirut, Lebanon. He also served on the coaching staff of minor league championship teams in Rochester, NY (2008 & 2016) and Yakima, WA (1998).
Don is preceded in death by his father, Bishop Eli Sellers, sister Lillie Mae Sellers, brother Eli Jerome Sellers, grandmother Lillie Mae Holmes, son-in-law Wayne Joyner and granddaughters, Whitney Joyner and Imani Jazlynn Dominguez-Coffey.
Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Mary Louise Sellers of Columbus, OH, wife Sharon Taylor Sellers, daughters Debbie Joyner of Caldwell, ID and Taija Coffey of Umatilla, OR; sons Rashad DeBose (Nikitta) and Emanuel DeBose (Shanelle); grandchildren Melice (Jose) Barber and Mekea Rodriguez of Caldwell, ID, Nyah Dominguez-Coffey of Umatilla, OR, Davy Wheeler, Rashad DeBose, Jr., Lailani DeBose, Amierah DeBose, Amyiah DeBose, A’Ryiah DeBose; great granddaughter Tru Wheeler; sister-in-law/second mom Virgie Sellers; nieces, nephews and a host of cousins and other family members, special friends of which there are too numerous to name, friends who were his family and a host of people who played or loved the game of basketball from around the world.
Visitation 9:00 AM and Funeral Service 10:00 AM Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, 2283 Sunbury Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH, 2500 Cleveland Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to the Sellers Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com
Please Click Here To View Program
Niecey, you already know my thoughts and prayers are with you family. Don will be missed and praying God gives you peace and comfort during this time and the times to come.
To the family of Mr. Don Sellers My most heartfelt condolences goes out to you and the family at your time of loss I pray that you continue to hold on to God‘s unchanging hand .❤️
Don, the world is a better place because of you, your love and knowledge of and for basketball. You shared this love and knowledge with so many others and we’re always trying to help others. Thank you for that and for being my friend. Rest in heaven Don. I know you are dribbling a basketball in good health and having fun. Much love brother.
To the Sellers family,
My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Sellers family. A great man has left this earth, but will forever be in our hearts. Don made many contributions to life, family, friends, and students. He will be missed, but the great memories will continue to live on in each of us.
My heart go out to Sharon and the family.Don was loved by many and thanks for letting us share Don Linden McKinley for life
Sharon be strong and know that God has you in His arms.
My heartfelt condolences to the family May the Lord strengthen you with his love and peace like a river in your souls, ️ from the Harris family we love you ❤️❤️
I grew up with Don, literally, starting between first and second grade, when we moved into a house three doors down from the Sellers. All through Eleventh Ave, Linmoor, Linden, and beyond, Don was my oldest, stoopidest, and best friend. Even after years apart, whenever we’d meet up – in Columbus, DC, California, Chicago – it was like we’d never been apart. We’d laugh, cry, talk smack about his family, my family, YOUR family, everybody was fair game, but it was always lighthearted, never mean-spirited. I loved Don, respected him, and truly valued him, and never thought I – WE – would lose him so soon. Visiting Columbus will never be the same. It’ll never feel quite right again, it’ll always be a little darker, a little colder, a little grayer. My life will be, too. I will always honor my brother.
A gentle giant of our community has fallen. A classmate, a friend, a teammate, a brother, I could go on and on. This has really shaken those of us who grew up and went to school with Don. Many prayers of comfort and strength for the Sharon, as she summons the will to lay her mate to rest. May the family find comfort. This is my prayer.
My condolences to your family. May you find comfort and peace in the times to come. It was always a pleasure to see Don when he came to summer league in Sacramento to work with Gus. Your sense of humor is unmatched. Your family is in my prayers.
The words I have about my brother,my friend and confidante,are…I love you,the memories we shared,the laughter,the tears, the jokes and the moments you shared when you were scared. This is what I will miss. The family will be fine,we’ve got them covered. You just take care of the ball til we get there. Love you Boy!
My condolences to the family n friends.. LM4L RIH Big Bro Don Sellers
Sending thoughts and prayers of comfort, strength and peace to the Don Allen Sellers Family. I’m still in shock from the news of his passing. May your memories of him, always be with you and help each of you during this time.
We extend our sincere Condolences to the Family of Don Sellars. He was truly a loved member in our community. His memory will live on in our hearts and minds. Praying for your comfort and peace. Rest in Heaven Don! The Spencer Family
My deepest condolences to Sharon and the entire family of Don Sellers. My prayers continually be with you and the days to come. Don will truly be missed. Don is absent from the body but present with the Lord. His wonderful memories will live on.
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we convey our condolences to the family of Don Sellers and all who loved him. He was our brother and he will be sorely missed. We will carry on the purpose driven work yet left to do. We are praying for you Sharon. May God provide comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding.
To the family, friends, and classmates of Don Allen Sellers. You have my sincere and deepest condolences. Don will forever be remembered in my family for his jokes and as Mr. Basketball . His departure leaves a big whole in our hearts. I’m going to miss him calling me on the phone screaming AG. Rest well my friend and classmate I’ll see you again….
AG
Sharon,
Praying for you and your family. I will always remember my brother and the love he had for everyone.
Deepest Condolences Go Out To The Family And Friends Of Don Sellers We Met At 11 th ave Elementary School Well Over A (Half Century) ago I Will Hold Him Close In My Heart Sincerely John and Tina Chubb (Linden For life)
Our hearts are heavy with the news of Don’s passing. We send our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family. Don left a legacy of the love of sports, people and community. He spread joy to all he encountered. We cherish his memories. Prayers to the family.
Our condolences
I am sorry for your loss. Don contributed to a positive work environment at Vertiv. He made a point of learning everyone’s name and usually created nicknames! I will always remember his smile and enthusiasm. Such a nice guy.
To the family of Don Sellers,
My sincere condolences for your great loss. May God grant you peace and strength. May his soul and the souls of the faithfully departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Carol Prewitt
Board Member S.T.A.R.S. YEP
Dayton, Ohio
I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot express my deepest condolences. He was an awesome friend and he will truly be missed. Praying that the Family finds a Spirit of peace that surpasses all understanding.
Dear Brother,
I can’t believe that this has happened – and still can’t bring myself to accept this tragedy. My condolences are with Sharon, your children, grans, all of your family, the Columbus, OH, national, and international communities (extended family), and a host of good and time tested friendships.
You have left a legacy, indeed! Rest in Peace knowing that your spirit will linger for an eternity.
“If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.”.
~Robert N. Test
Much Brotherly Love and Respect,
Ty Fields
Founder and President
STARS Youth Enrichment Program
To the family and friends of Don Sellers. You have my deepest sympathy during your time of bereavement. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Praying for your comfort during these times.
To say that you will be sorely missed is an understatement! You had the heart the size of Shaquille O’neal, the passion of Michael Jordan, the mouthpiece of Gary Peyton, the longevity of LeBron James and you busted a move in a heartbeat like Michael Jackson. It will be impossible to fill the shoes you’ve left behind to help our youth and impact our community like you did, but we will do our best! It’s clear the Lord was putting together a basketball league and he needed a qualified coach, trainer and mentor!
God Bless the entire Sellers Family sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss.
Before I bust a move in your honor….You have ran your race and you ran it well! Enjoy your well deserved wings! R.I.P
Love Nik
Don was always full of jokes and had a big heart. He will be terribly missed by his family, friends, the community & sports world. Sleep well!!
Don you are really going to be missed!!! I remember the good ole 11th Ave days and you coming down the street we all hanging out at my Grandparents house the Allen’s attacking the pear tree lol just having a good time!!! You always had that Boisterous voice and laugh and that ole cola nut head!!! Man the Clark girls,Sutton’s everyone that grew up with you gonna MISS You!!! Sharon love you and praying for you and entire Sellers family. Rest on my Brother and Friend ❤️
My Condolences to the family of Don Allen Sellers. My Heart is broken… I will miss you .. God wanted you to coach the heaven All Stars basketball team .. rest well my friend …
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the legendary Man, Coach, etc… I appreciate the time we had, the knowledge I obtained, and the insight I will take with me. In the short time we spent together, I thank God for the lifetime of REAL, ONE-of-a kind KNOWLEDGE
You are truly missed. The way you fill a room with joy in the midst of whatever is going on has truly been your trademark. We don’t have that today because, that has always been uniquely you. I appreciate the time we were able to connect in the effort to bring community leaders together. You had an amazing heart for this city and it is showing today. You have literally poured yourself out to as many as you could. Rest on Don Sellers and by the way thanks for giving me a promotion from Jimmy to Pastor Jimmy.
Dear Sharon and family: May the God of all comfort bless you with peace during this difficult time. We are praying for you.
My deepest condolences to Don’s entire family, especially his Mother and wife Sharon. Don always had a big, giving heart with his big smile. May God give all of you the comfort you will need in the days ahead. Keep all your memories close to your heart and let God guide you through the difficult times. He will truly missed by everyone. Linden4Life.
Condolences and peace from the Cunningham family to Mrs. Sellars, family and friends.
Don will always be in my history book as a Humanitarian that spread Gods love around the world through basketball.
A job excellently done.
My deepest condolences and prayers are with the family Don will certainly be missed. RIP Don
Sharon my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family