Donald "Don" Jack Love

Don lived and loved well for 86 years. If one word had to be selected to describe him, it would be devoted. He was the classic “good guy,” devoted to his family, friends, career, and community.

He was tough too, taking on a 15-year battle with kidney cancer. When he was 65, he could still do a one-armed push-up, so we all knew cancer didn’t stand much of a chance. He was focused on what he was fighting for—more time with the people he loved.

Above all else, Don was a family man. Married for nearly seven decades to Ann, their two children expanded the family circle of love to include 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family has spent every summer together in Estes Park, Colorado, creating generations of memories with plenty of hiking and fireside chats.

“Gramps” was a man of service and truly enjoyed helping others. He didn’t hesitate to jump in to help with painting, woodworking, or patient teaching of every survival skill in the book. Don was active in the Lincoln community and volunteered countless hours for the Sesostris Shrine. His grandkids thought he was the coolest because he took them to the Shrine Circus, where he and Ann volunteered for many years.

For Don, life was too short to drive slow cars. He treasured his corvettes and didn’t hesitate to share this joy, often putting new drivers in the family behind the wheel of his baby. He enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of other enthusiasts in Lincoln’s Corvette Club, participating in car shows and parades across the state.

Don loved to fly. It was both his passion and his career. He often recounted the Army National Guard as a life-defining good fortune, joining September 2, 1953, when he was just 17 (and weighing 119 lbs. soaking wet.) He entered service as a Private-First Class and airplane mechanic. He became a helicopter pilot on April 15, 1968 and a Chief Warrant Officer 4, May 9, 1983. Don entered active duty and was deployed to Desert Storm, returning when he was 55 years old. In total, Don dedicated 42 years, 8 months and 28 days to the service of his country and the State of Nebraska.

Don was born May 29, 1936 to Leroy and Daisy Love. He was a lifelong Nebraskan. Don is survived by his two children, Robin (Clark) Lehr, Don (Linda) Love; ten grandchildren, Randa (Kent), Kyle (Shelly), Kaitlin, Adele (Craig), Claire and Grace (Traxxon) along with ten great-grandchildren, Chloe, Addison, Sophia, Lily, Owen, Toby, Hadley, Corbin, Rhett and Baby Love. He left this earth on January 3, 2023 but will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

The family wishes memorials to Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation in memory of Donald "Don" Love.