Donald F Booth Sr.

Don graduated as the valedictorian of his high school class in 1957, after which he received a partial scholarship to the University of South Carolina. Don went to work for NASA at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia in the computer division in June 1962 as an electrical engineer. During his time at NASA, he worked on the first computer mouse, fiber optic links, and the internet before it became public domain. In addition, he worked on the first digital real time simulation of both the Gemini and Agena Capsule. He retired in 2003.

In addition to his career at NASA, Don also played a prominent role in the James-York Youth Wrestling League, ultimately merging all Peninsula youth wrestling to form the Peninsula Youth Wrestling League (PWYL), as well as the Virginia Duals. He was the first to use computer-generated brackets and helped to create the sudden death tie breaker rule. He held multiple offices in the Peninsula Wrestling Association and was bestowed a Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award through the Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009.

In Don’s spare time, he loved watching all sports, especially Dallas Cowboys Football. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Linda Bilbrey Booth. Don is survived by his brother Albert Booth of Trenton, SC; children Suzanne Ashford of Roanoke, VA (Bill), Donald Booth of Poquoson, VA (Sheena), and Melissa Booth of Charlotte, NC; and his grandchildren, Evan Jamison and Reed Booth.

There will be a visitation at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home on Thursday February 10, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 PM. The funeral home is located at 2551 N Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research or the Peninsula Wrestling Association (PWA).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.parklawn-woodfh.com for the Booth family.