After an amazing 95+ years of family, friendship, flying, and a fruitful retirement, Don Kile “flew West” quietly on January 15, 2013 at home after battling ALS. He was born on March 19th, 1917 in Marshall, Illinois and spent his formative years as a “country boy” along with his two brothers Robert and David. He attended Illinois State Normal University and graduated with a teaching degree, but decided instead to “Join the Navy to See the World” in 1938. He served on the submarine tender USS Holland and the submarine USS Salmon, but then had the opportunity in 1941 to become an officer and enter flight training. During World War II, he flew combat tours in the Pacific Theater with Patrol Squadron VPB-108, initially flying the PBY Catalina flying boat, then the PB4Y (Navy version of the B-24 Liberator). Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1946, he figured that flying was a pretty good way to make a living, and United Air Lines was the first to respond to his employment requests. So began a 31-year career with United, flying the full range of propeller-driven “Mainliners” including the DC-3, DC-4, Convair 340, DC-6, and DC-7. Don was checked out in the Boeing 727 “Jet Mainliner” in 1965, and he flew that great airplane until his retirement in 1977. During his early days at United, an old Navy buddy set him up on a blind date with the former Anne Marie Serwat of Chicago, and she became his wife on July 26th, 1947 beginning their 65 years of marriage. They had two children, Margaret Anne (Peggy) and Paul Donald. One of Don’s fortes was a combination of patience and knowledge, whether it involved helping with homework, showing Peggy how to plant in the backyard “victory garden”, or showing Paul how to check things under the hood of the car. Don and Anne spent much time traveling and getting together with family and friends, but the bulk of Don’s leisure time was taken up by “puttering” around the house, making good use of his garage tools for plumbing, electrical, and automotive repairs. Don is survived by his brother (David), his wife (Anne), his children and their spouses (Peggy - Louis Gorman, Paul – Karen Niiya), his granddaughter (Anne Kile-Gorman and husband Nicholas Noreen) and his great-granddaughters (Emma and Lola). A Celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at 2:00 PM at the A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Donations in his honor may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014, or the ALS Association Arizona Chapter, 4643 E. Thomas Road Suite 1, Phoenix, AZ 85018. You may also leave your online remembrances and comments on the website www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com. We know Don will appreciate your thoughts and words as he saunters off into the sunset.
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