Carty, Donald L.
Donald L. Carty, Colonel, USAF (Retired)
August 06, 1936 – March 07, 2024
Donald Lee Carty, son of Claude and Zula Carty, passed away peacefully on 7 March 2024 in Seattle, WA.
Don was born in Clintwood, VA in 1936 and graduated from Dickenson Memorial High School in 1954. He attended the US Naval Academy and graduated in 1958. Don also earned a Master of Business from Auburn University. He cross-commissioned to the Air Force where he served as an experimental test pilot and a Combat Search and Rescue pilot attaining the rank of Colonel. During his 30-year military career, he was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Air Medals and the Peruvian Air Cross, among many other honors. He and his family traveled the world and lived on three continents. An avid traveler, he visited over 50 countries before he retired to Abingdon, Va where he served as a member of Civitans, and volunteered for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children Jason, Cara, and Samuel; four grandchildren, Pia, Skye, Seth and Aaron; four great-grandsons; and his sisters Adina Krum and Marilyn Vaughan.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Red Cross. The family is planning a Celebration of Life for a future date.
Published by Bristol Herald Courier on Mar. 16, 2024
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Capt. Donald L. Carty served a tour as an HH-53B/C helicopter pilot where he earned, among other decorations, The Silver Star and The Distinguished Flying Cross with “V” Device with one oak leaf cluster, while serving with the 40th ARRS in the 1969 time-frame.
Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned
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