TACAMO Fallen Veteran - Donald Disharoon Sr. - VQ-4
June 18, 1932 – September 15, 2023
Donald Lee Disharoon Sr., 91 of Lexington Park, MD passed away at his home on September 15, 2023.
He was born June 18, 1932 in Salisbury, MD to the late Joseph Leroy Disharoon and Mary Eloise Brewington. He was preceded in death the year before by his loving wife of 40 years, Helen (nee Cox), whom he married on January 6, 1982 in Leonardtown, MD.
Don graduated from Wicomico High School in 1950, and joined the U.S. Navy almost immediately after high school. He spent 4 years as an Aviation Electricians Mate (AE) and then returned to civilian life as a Journeyman Electrician. After several years, he re-joined the Navy as an AE and became a Naval Aircrewman flying as aircrew on many types of naval aircraft: EC-121 Constellations, P-2Vs, P-3s, and EC-130s. During his career, he advanced to the enlisted rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and then went to Officers Candidate School and became a Limited Duty Officer. As a commissioned officer, he performed the various duties of Branch Officer, Division Officer, and several assignments as Department Head (Maintenance Officer) all while still actively flying. His last several assignments were at NAS Patuxent River, MD (AIMD, VQ-4, and NATC ASW Test Directorate). He retired from the Navy in 1978 as a Lieutenant Commander with 26 years of active service. After the Navy, Don worked for Dynalectron (later DynCorp) at Rotary Wing Test Directorate, then later at the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School as a Quality Assurance Maintenance Inspector. After retirement from his second career, Don and Helen enjoyed babysitting two of their grandchildren, Brian and Caitlyn, taking them on many “adventures.” While he was still able to, he deeply enjoyed fishing with his “fishing buddies” (Brian and Caitlyn).
Don is survived by his sisters Barbara Hopkins (Donald AKA “Duck”) of Salisbury, MD and Paige Glasgow of Salisbury, MD; his children Gayle Ganley (Mark) of Elizebeth City, NC, Don Disharoon Jr. (Trish) of Glen Burnie, MD, Jamie Tompkins (Steve) of Laurel, MD, Joe Disharoon (Diane) of Vacaville, CA, Duncan “Skip” Disharoon of Dameron, MD, and Jessie Brant (Ken) of Elizabeth City, NC; his step-children Larry DeMent (Debbie) of Rogersville, TN, Jerry DeMent (Cindy) of Harrington, DE, Terry Clements (Gene) of Lexington Park, MD, Debbie Penn (LaNeil) of San Tan Valley, AZ, Keith Penn of Lexington Park, MD, and Sheryl Mandeville (Richard) of Ridge, MD; grandchildren Katie Shook, Elaine Disharoon, Samantha Disharoon, Evan Disharoon, Frankie Quade, Kyle Quade, Brian Penn, Caitlyn Gatton, Jennifer Davis, Kelly Travis, Wayne DeMent, Tiffany DeMent, Tyler DeMent, and Josh DeMent; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Don was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and grandfather. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Family will receive friends on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service following at 11:00 a.m. at Rausch Funeral Home, 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD. Interment will follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, MD.
Serving as pallbearers will be Don Disharoon Jr, Joe Disharoon, Keith Penn, Jerry DeMent, Richard Mandeville, and Chris Mandeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Legion Ridge Post 255, PO Box 237, Ridge, MD 20680.
Obit and funeral arrangements will be posted when arrangements are made.
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