Elder, Donald Ray
Donald Ray Elder, MSgt., USAF (Retired)
August 19, 1942 – November 02, 2012
Elder, Master Sgt. Donald Ray, 70, born Aug. 19, 1942 in Wichita, KS, passed away Nov. 2, 2012.
He went to school on the west side of Wichita and moved to and attended high school in Fall River, KS., joined U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. He served for a short time in the Viet Nam War as a helicopter mechanic, and traveled to many places. His last place he served in was the Philippines when he had the pleasure of retiring.
He never let the grass grow under his feet. He always liked seeing new places. When he went to the Philippines he knew that was where he wanted to live the rest of his life, and so he did. He died happy there, he found peace with God and now is in heaven with a happy soul and a smile.
Preceding Don in death were his grandparents, A.V. Lingerfelters; mother and stepfather, Edna Blanche (Joe) Dougherty; sister, Jo Ann Elder; stepbrother, Lt. Cdr. Dean Dougherty. He is survived by his twin sister, Donna Kay (Elder) and (Ron) Maddux of Wichita, KS; stepbrother and sisters, Master Sgt. Bob J. (Ann) Dougherty, Ammie Rankin, and Margaret M. Clare; sons, Donald (Don) Ray Elder II of CA, William Christapher “Bill” (Donna) Elder of CA and adopted son, Donald “Raffy” Ray (Ehameah) Elder II of the Philippines; grandchildren, Donald “Donnie” Ray Elder III, Abigail (Abby) Rae Elder, Nickolas Roman Elder of CA, Tyler Elder, Alyssa Elder and Christopher Elder of CA, also Freyameah Elder of the Philippines; aunt, Shirlene (Mitch) Mitchell of Kansas and many cousins and multitude of nieces and nephews and many friends. He was blessed.
At his request for cremation, services were held in the Philippines. Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenmortuary-cemetery.com
Published in The Wichita Eagle on Feb. 28, 2013
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