December 27, 1951 – March 12, 2026

Born in Hanford, California, to Sam and Rosie Borges. Grew up in Lemoore, California until the family moved to San Jose in 1955. Sam sold tractors and created a side job cutting wood, recruiting Rosie and his 3 boys to cut, deliver and stack 200 cords of Oak wood a year. The family moved to Tahoe in 1965 where Sam started a sleigh ride business (after Dave won a pony in a local raffle) at Stateline on a handshake agreement with Brooks Park. The hard work
as a youth laid a foundation for Don’s later achievements as an athlete. All of the Borges boys excelled at sports. Don became a multi-sport competitor at South Tahoe High School, graduating in 1970. He was a 3-sport varsity letterman: football, track and basketball. Don liked to say that he was voted most valuable player his freshman year in basketball, then Coach Bartholomew told him to go out for wrestling. Don shared the title of Most Valuable Athlete his
senior year with his close friend John Phoenix.
Don got his College degree at Sac State, Home of the Hornets. Don said the fight cry is “BZZZZZZ, Keep those stingers up!” To pay for college he drove home every weekend in his dune buggy (with a visqueen top and no heat!) to park cars at Harvey’s. After graduation he returned to Tahoe and taught for 37 years at STHS, including teaching math, coaching football and wrestling, and becoming Athletic Director for many years. Don just loved sports. Even before becoming AD you would find him at virtually every game. In the bleachers of a freshman softball game you would see the parents, and Don, the only non-parent spectator!
Don touched many lives here in Tahoe, teaching several generations of families. His students called him “By the books Borges”. Many of the girls teasingly called him “Gorgeous Borges.” His fellow teachers said that they went to the staff meetings because Don always kept it entertaining. He would end his Athletic Director staff report with “And remember, if you can’t be an athlete, be an Athletic Supporter.”
Sam and Rosie began waterskiing in their 30s and took to it immediately, becoming speed ski champions of California for a decade. Don could ski practically from the time he walked! Wherever in the world Don and Kath ventured, like Hawaii, Tahiti, Europe, Thailand, every vacation had to involve water and swimming every day. He has run Borges Waterski and Wakeboard school for 50 years. One special family, the Sylvio’s from LA, have been coming to Tahoe every year for the past 50 years to ski, first with Rosie’s Waterski School and then several generations with Don. As many as 40 still come up every year to ski with Don. They have become like family.
Don had many lifelong friends, especially his STHS Class of ’70 buddies who have remained extremely close to this day. When Don and Kath would have “the gang” over, it became a joke that, as the time approached 9 pm, Don would stretch, yawn, and then point to the front door and kick everyone out! and announce that he needed his “beauty rest,” always with good humor.
Don lived to make people smile, always entertaining and funny. Especially when he led large groups in singing the theme song of “Bonanza.” Who knew it had words! Well, if you had Lorne Greene’s Greatest Hits like Don has, you’d know!
It’s probably appropriate to end his life while doing laps in a swimming pool with a heart attack. His passing will leave a huge hole in many people’s hearts.
Don is survived by his wife Katherine who he always called “The love of my life;” brothers Dean, Dave and Dwight (and acquired brother Bob Lopez); along with their families and legions of friends. AND, the light of Don’s life, their yellow lab EmmyBay (named for Emerald Bay).
Notices will be sent for a “Celebration of Life” when time allows.