Donald Heacock Sr.

Donald Heacock Sr., 91 of Topeka passed away at his home on April 16, 2018, after sufferring years of dementia and diabetes.

Don was born in Washington State May 22, 1926 but grew up in Oregon. He was the second child of Paul and Dorothy Heacock. Don was a WWII Veteran. He joined the Navy Air force early January 1944 when he was just 17. He took his basic training at the Naval Air Center at Coeur d'alene Idaho. He was trained there to be a tail gunner and was assigned to a small Navy TBF dive bomber. After Guam was liberated during WWII, he was stationed there while Japanese soldiers were still holding out in caves and in the jungle. When, he was honorably discharged after the war. He enrolled at Oregon State College on the G I Bill. He was above the age to be accepted into the Navy ROTC program so he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC Program. When he completed that he was commissioned and served as a Communications Officer during the Korean Conflict. He also served again on Guam in the mid 1950's, at the very beginning of the Vietnam War. Don left the service and worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber for 28 years. When he retired he had a perfect attendance record.

Don was a member of St. David's Episcopal Church, Topeka Masonic Lodge No 90

AF&A.M., Scottish Rite, a 39 year member of Arab Shrine in the Shrine Patrol Unit where he served as a Captain and Chaplain. He was also a past member of the Golfers Unit, the Legion of Honor and a dedicated Bingo worker. He was a proud member of "The Q #8", where he was honored to serve as Chaplain, the United Steel Workers Union Local 307, and while at Oregon State he became a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Don was a life time member of the VFW, American Legion Post 400, and a life time member of MOAA Kaw Valley chapter.

Later in life Don attended Washburn University and Kaw Area Vo-tech. He loved to learn new things and developed a passion for computers and computer programs. He was an avid golfer and continued to follow golf through the television after he could no longer play. He loved crossword puzzles, cryptoquotes, and he really loved to dance with Mary Jane.

On August 2, 1952 Don and Mary Jane Trulove were married in the protestant chapel at Forbes Air Force Base. They were together over 65 years. Survivors include his wife Mary Jane. Children: Debra Heacock, Independence MO, Anita (Dr.Rich) Boden Valley Springs CA, Dr. Donald Heacock II(PHD) Reno NV, Andrea (Pat) Brewster Silver Lake KS. Grandchildren: Chris (Sara) Boden Lincoln CA, Jason (Julie) Brewster Silver Lake KS, Philip Boden Lodi CA. Justin (Amber) Brewster Silver Lake KS, Veronica (Dave) Mangrich Lodi CA and Joseph (Lolly) Brewster Plainville KS, his brother Lloyd Heacock, Oakridge OR, and 14 wonderful Great-grandchildren. Don was pre-deceased by his parents, a brother Kenneth, and a sister Rosalie Darby.

A memorial Service will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church (17th and Gage Blvd)

on May the 25th , at 1:00 p.m. Committal of Ashes in the Church court yard will follow the service. Then a reception will be held in the Church Social Hall.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to St. David's Church, Great Lakes Caring Hospice, or any local charity feeding the hungry.