Don Mervyn Boudreaux, CMSgt., USAF
November 13, 1945 – July 09, 2017

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Don Mervyn Boudreaux, 71, died peacefully in his Las Vegas home, July 9, 2017.

Don was born November 13, 1945, in San Francisco, California. About 10 years later, his family moved 50 miles north to a small farm, Cheerful Acres, in Santa Rosa. Upon graduating from Santa Rosa High School, Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at strategic bases throughout the U.S. and deployed to more than ten countries, from Thailand to Iraq. He served his country with the utmost pride and honor. He loved America, and he loved his work.

Don was a Gunner and Sensor Operator aboard the AC-130 Gunship and served in the Viet Nam War. He was also involved in joint-U.S. military operations in strategic global locations. Toward the end of his career, Don served as the 16th SOS Operations Superintendent/Airborne Gunner at Hurlburt Field AFB, near Fort Walton Beach, Florida, until he retired, March 31, 1994. He received several awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross award; Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation; and Humanitarian Service Medal.

Don enjoyed fishing with his brothers and buddies and tinkering with high-tech gadgets.
Don is preceded in death by his father Robert Boudreaux, Sr., and survived by his mother Vera Boudreaux, older brother Robert Boudreaux, Jr. (wife Karen), and younger siblings Tony Boudreaux (wife Audrey), Brenda Boudreaux, Glenda Penny, Pierre Boudreaux, and Bernard Boudreaux. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces.

A service with full Military Honors will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, August 1st, 2:00 PM. For more information and to share condolences, please visit www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com/tributes/Don-Boudreaux. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Fisher House Foundation in Don’s memory.