Donald Ellis Konkel

“Don” was born in Flanders, NY and grew up in Riverhead, Long Island NY. He spent his childhood hunting, fishing, digging clams and picking wild berries on the shores of Long Island Sound.

After high school, Donald enlisted in the United States Navy in October, 1965, at the Naval Recruiting Station on West 24th Street, New York, NY; he was 19 years old. He attended basic training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. During his four years of active duty he was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, Treasure Island in San Francisco and did two tours of duty in the combat zone of Vietnam as part of the US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 (The Seabees). After completing 12 months in the Republic of Vietnam, he volunteered to return there with his ship on its next deployment. He was released from active duty on October, 1969. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one campaign star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960.

He went on to serve in the Connecticut Army National Guard as a mechanic and retired after 20 years of service. Don continued to use his mechanical skills as an Outside Machinist at Electric Boat in Groton, CT and then spent several years working as grounds support staff at the Cross Sound Ferry in New London, CT before retiring and moving south.

He married his wife, Diana, in August of 1975. They raised 3 children together and were married for almost 47 years until Diana’s passing in 2022. Donald was also predeceased by a son, Brian Konkel; and sister, Barbara Mongulet. Donald leaves behind one brother, Paul Konkel (Robin); daughters, Diana Dickson (John), Amy Thompson (Ryder), and Carlene Brock; son, Scott Gordon (Brandi); and grandchildren, Theodore Dickson, Jessica Clark, Jared Gordon, Jordan Thompson, Brody Mitchell and Titus Mitchell.

Don was a strong presence in his family’s life and lived as a regimented military man and a loving, supportive father who would do anything for his family and friends. He was a life-long supporter of the American Legion, volunteered for Chapin We Care in early retirement, and spent a lot of time getting to know his wonderful neighbors in Smallwood Estates.

A private service with full military honors will be held at Fort Jackson, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chapin American Legion Post 193.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanchapin.com for the Konkel family.