Born in New Orleans, LA on Aug 19, 1929 to John & Christine Maynard, he attended Holy Cross High School & graduated from Tulane University in 1951 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
He began his long association with aviation at the age of 12, working for his father at the Shushan Airport near New Orleans for $.25 cents an hour & one hour of flight instruction per week. Soloing at the age of 16, he went on to accumulate enough flight time to be hired by Braniff Airlines at the age of 22 where, during his 36-year career, he went on to fly aircraft ranging from early propeller driven models up to and including the B-747, all on Braniff's worldwide route structure. His career at Braniff was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age as a pilot, he went on to serve as a simulator instructor for American Airlines until his retirement in 2008.
Don was an active member for 50+ years at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, a board member for the Braniff International Silver Eagles, an active member of both the Quiet Birdmen and the Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum, as well as a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 52 years, Jeanne, his brother George Maynard and sister Betty Maynard.
He is survived by his three daughters, Michelle Evetts (Max), Cheryl Maynard, Stephanie Sheridan (Jeff), his sister Sue M. Steel, sister-in-law Olga Maynard and beloved nieces, nephews & many dear friends.
A visitation will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, October 26th at Calvary Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery with services following at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don's memory may be made to the Braniff Airways Foundation, Dallas Frontiers of Flight Museum or Operation Kindness.
