Donald Jean Burch Sr.

October 7, 1926 – August 31, 2022

Don Burch, 95, of Tuscaloosa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 6th at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL officiated by Dr Ken Dunivant and Dr Clinton Hubbard with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home directing, preceded by visitation at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park.

Mr. Burch was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Jean Burch, to whom he was married to for 73 years; his parents, Albert and Pearl Burch; his stepmother, Myrtle Burch and his brothers Arthur, Major and John Burch.

He is survived by his children Donald J. Burch Jr. (Rachel) and Richard A. Burch (Vicki); grandchildren Lauren Wetmore (Griffin), Grace Strobino (Jay), Caroline Burch and Rita Elizabeth Burch; step-grandchildren Jay Cantley and Laura Jones; great-grandchildren Tucker, Georgia, and Darby Wetmore; step-great-grandchild Benjamin Jones; and brother David Burch.

Mr. Burch was born on October 7, 1926, in Lineville, AL. At the age of 16, he enlisted in the Navy joining his two older brothers in the US’ defense of allied nations in WWII. Don would be deployed on the USS Pine Isle where he served on flying boats used for air-sea rescues in Pacific battles including Okinawa.

Upon returning from war, Don was introduced to the love of his life, Rita Thornhill, by Martha and Billy Hagan. They were married in Marion, AL in June of 1949. They built a life together moving base to base across the globe. As they did, he went to school at night graduating from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a BS in Business and a from the University of Colorado with a Masters in Business.

After WWII, Don resigned from the Navy and joined the Army Air Corp Reserve, which became the Air Force, and his unit was called to active duty for the Korean War. He became a Second Lieutenant and received his Air Force wings in 1952. The Air Force suited Don. As a 5’8” man with no fear, he was the perfect specimen to become a fighter pilot. Don would go on to be a test pilot and maintenance control officer flying with Fighter Interceptor Squadrons with the Air Defense Command. He was one of the first to break the speed of sound, becoming an official “Mach Buster”. When the Vietnam war broke out, he was deployed to Thailand, flying suppression and rescue missions to take Green Berets and Air Force Commandoes in and out of combat. He retired from the Air Force in 1966 with the rank of Major. Don would go on to become a successful businessman in Birmingham, AL, working for many years in sales and as a developer for Kingsberry Homes Corporation. After raising their family, Don and Rita moved to Gulf Shores, AL where they loved entertaining, boating and playing golf.

Don was devoted to his wife and two sons and cherished their time together. He was a wonderful husband and father and was someone you could always count on. Unless it was a Saturday in the fall, because then he’d be cheering on his beloved Crimson Tide. He led by example with integrity, drive, and hard work. He had a quick wit and could charm the pants off anyone. Don was a true American Hero leaving an indelible legacy of bravery and honor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the DCH Foundation or Folds of Honor.