Donald Ray Wilkinson

Donald R. Wilkinson, 85, of Longmont, passed away June 12, 2016 at Broomfield Skilled Nursing in Broomfield, Colorado.Don was born August 11, 1930 in Hollis, Oklahoma to Chester and Ola (Doyel) Wilkinson. He graduated from Hollis High School. He attended Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma for 2 years and then transferred to East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957.He enlisted in the Navy in November, 1948 and served in Korea and China until his honorable discharge in October, 1952. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Hollis and enlisted with Army National Guard of Oklahoma for 3 years and was honorably discharged in 1955.Don married Carol Gordon on August 28, 1955 in Hollis, Oklahoma. He originally moved to Longmont in 1967 from Ph nix, AZ, moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1985, and returned to Longmont in 1991.Don was an electromechanical design drafter/checker in the Aerospace and Defense Industry for 35 years. His work experience includes Sperry Rand in Ph nix, Martin Marietta in Denver, Ball Aerospace in Boulder, and retired from Honeywell in Albuquerque in 1991. He was a member of LifeBridge Christian Church and attended regularly with his wife, Carol.Don was a member of the Green Mill Sportsman's Club in Erie, CO, and loved participating in shooting competitions for many years. Don volunteered for 19 years with the Longmont Police Department, ranging from the motor pool to the shooting range. He was an avid reader of westerns and science fiction. Don especially enjoyed spending time with family.He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol and his parents.Survivors include his son, Steven (Dona) Wilkinson; daughter, Shari (Tom) Conlin; 4 grandchildren, Sara Conlin, Sean Conlin, Dustin (Patty) Cornell and Tiffany Erdmann; 5 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan, Karli, Hailey and Elijah.Memorial service will be 10:00 am, Saturday, June 25, 2016 at LifeBridge Christian Church, 10345 Highway 66 in Longmont. Memorial contributions may be made to TRU Community Care, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026 or go to www.trucare.org.Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.