>
> Written by Don's wife Barbara:
>
>
> Marine William Donald "Don" Thompson died January 12, 2004
> following a six month battle with colon cancer.
> Don's home was in Locust Fork, Alabama near Birmingham. He
> is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 34 years, a son Zac and a
> daughter Doni Beth. He was preceded in death by his son, Brett.
> Don worked for 34 years at Pemco Aeroplex in Birmingham
> where he was the current Director of Labor Relations. Don also
> coached Little League Baseball and Dizzy Dean Girl's Softball
> for a combined eighteen years.
> Don was a member of the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter
> Association. He and his wife attended the Pensacola Reunion of
> 2002.
> Being a Marine was a huge and proud part of Don's life.He
> served in the United States Marine Corp for four years where he
> earned the rank of Sargeant. He trained at Parris Island, went
> to school at Memphis and was stationed at El Toro, California
> before his duty in Vietnam. Don served in Vietnam in the HMM-364
> "Purple Fox" from 1967 to 1968. Don was extremely proud of his
> country and of his Marine Corp. He became a Marine at the age of
> 17 and remained a Marine, in his heart, until his death at age
> 55. He was laid to rest by a Marine Honor Guard from Bessemer,
> Alabama.
>
> I have attached a picture of Don to this email.
>
> If you have any questions or comments please contact me.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Zac Thompson
> zacthompson@gawab.com
>