Donald Earl Fite Jr.

Donald Earl Fite Jr aka "Spider-Man" or "Spider" passed away unexpectedly due to
complications from severe acute pancreatitis on July 3rd, 2022. He passed peacefully
surrounded by family at the Hillsboro Medical Center.

Don was born on October 18th, 1960 in Castro valley, CA. He grew up bouncing between living
with family and living in foster care. His father Don Sr. was a long time hot rodder. Don’s favorite
adolescent memories were of cruising his motorcycle, car shows, drag races at Fremont
dragstrip, speech and drama classes, and water skiing. At the age of 16, he signed himself out
of school and went to work.

In 1980, he met his wife Sandra while working as a line cook at the iconic Bob's Big Boy
Restaurant in Fremont, CA. Don and Sandy were married on his 20th birthday of that year at the
Lake Tahoe Wedding chapel by Reverend Love. In 1980 he also started as a punch press die
setter for Schultz manufacturing. His son Donald Earl Fite III was born in 1982. His son
Jonathan Fite was born in 1987. In 1989 he was working as a journeyman die setter in the Bay
area. He liked the work, but dreaded the 9 to 5 existence. He wanted to be an artist, wanted to
work with cars, and wanted to be his own boss.

Initially he started out applying vinyl graphics to mini trucks and lowriders of the era. He called
his business Ultimate Stripes. He was great at what he did, but he considered his work inferior
to the work of real “pinstripers” -artists using paint and brushes to adorn wild designs on
customized cars. It wasn't long after starting his vinyl graphic business that he bought his first
sword brush and can of one shot paint. One of his first designs was painted on the glove box
door of his 1967 El Camino. He was so proud of his work, he decided to bring it with him to an
automotive show the following weekend where the legendary artist/pinstriper Ed “Big Daddy”
Roth would be making an appearance. Don waited in a long line of autograph seekers. When he reached the front, he triumphantly debuted his masterpiece to Ed. “Well what do you think of my work Big Daddy?!” he exclaimed. Ed Roth sat and looked down at the piece for all of 3 seconds, and did not hesitate to announce “looks like garbage kid!” in front of a sea of onlookers. Ed promptly swung his chair around, putting his back to Don and the crowd. Don was crushed. Heartbroken, he turned to walk away when he realized he didn’t have the piece of art he had brought to show off.

When Don turned back, Big Daddy stood with his arm already extended out toward him, the
glove box door in hand. Don’s painting had been wiped away. In its place Ed Roth had lovingly
replaced the beginners work with the words “Practice makes Perfect”. The words were
masterfully and ornately painted in flawless scroll lettering with pinstripe embellishments. He told
Don “If you wanna make it as a pinstriper, you'll need practice, and you're gonna need a
gimmick kid!” Don would need a pseudonym to help promote himself and his work. So for
reasons unknown to ordinary mortals, Don rebranded himself… the Spider Man. He painted night and day on the glass from old picture frames, furniture, appliances, and the cars of friends and relatives.

In December of 1992, he and his family had an opportunity to move to Oregon and begin a new
chapter of their lives. He squeezed the kids and pregnant wife onto the bench seat of the El
Camino with a Uhaul trailer in tow. They arrived in Beaverton, Oregon on December 5th, 1992
during an ice storm. The inexperienced Californians spent the final 1000 ft of their journey
screaming in terror as the El Camino slid uncontrollably through red traffic lights down the ice
encrusted slope of Scholls Ferry Road. Somehow, they made it to their new apartment complex
unscathed.

Once the family got settled, Don was a stay at home dad while Sandy worked a full time office
job. Their son Daniel Fite was born on July 17, 1993 and attended his first car show at 7 days
old. Don worked hard at making a name for himself as a pinstriper in the Pacific Northwest. With
Sandy by his side, Don spent nearly every summer weekend for the next 29 years doing what
he loved: Making his art, his way, on the coolest canvases ever driven.

Don was extraordinarily talented. He was also humble, generous, hilarious, and a joy to be
around. He loved life, his family, and connecting with people. He had friends from every walk of
life. He was a magnet for outsiders and underdogs and he loved to talk. Friends will miss his
phone calls, his smile, his warm embraces and his uniqueness. He treasured his car show
community and all the friends and great times he had within it.

When he wasn't working car shows, he enjoyed road trips, family and friend get-togethers,
concerts, ripping up dance floors, and painting gifts for special occasions. Spider was extremely
proud of his three sons and loved them unconditionally. He had four grandkids and enjoyed
every minute he could spend with them including long distance video chats.
One of his greatest joys over the years were his dachshund fur babies; Elvis, Oscar, Lisa Marie,
Hershey, and his puppy Violet.

Don was original and a non-conformist. He was not one for moderation or frugality. He had
champagne taste on a beer budget. His wife would often say to him "You are an expensive date,
but worth every penny". Spider just wanted to have as much fun in life as possible for as long as
he could.

Don was able to meet and hold his new grandson Marcus Fite just days before he passed away.
Don was beloved by so many and will forever be known as the legendary Spider-Man. Shortly
before becoming ill, he said to Sandy, “See I told you I was going to make it! I told you! Spider is
the man! I did it!” while smiling ear to ear.
R. I. P.
Rest in Paint Spider Man!

Spider is survived by his wife Sandra Elizabeth Fite, son Don III and his partner Mary, son
Jonathan, son Daniel and fiance Khala, four grandchildren, mother Cleo Patricia, brothers Joey
and Steve; and sisters Julie, Sasha, Catherine, Tiffany, and Monica. Preceded in death this year
by his father Don Fite Sr.

There will be a celebration of Life memorial for him at the Walter Cultural Arts Center 527 E.
Main Street Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 on 9/16/2022 starting at 5:00 p.m. family and friends are
welcome to attend.