Donald Wayne Mahn

Don was born on May 5, 1941, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Merrill, Wisconsin. On June 25, 2014, he died after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer while at the VA hospice in Tucson, Arizona with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Christina; his daughter Melissa (Brian) Hayes; his daughter Stacey (Jess) Carter; his beloved grandson Aiden Carter; his sister Judith Begley and his brother Dennis Mahn. He was preceded in death by his father Arley Mahn, his mother Thelma Wagner, and his sisters Carol Mahn and Janice Mowery.

Don was raised in Merrill, Wisconsin, on a small dairy farm. He attended a one-room schoolhouse with his two sisters and brother. He graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1959. After graduation, Don worked as a mechanic at a local gas station, and then at a shoe factory. He joined the Army National Guard, went active, and transitioned into the Air Force where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. He served at various bases in Guam, Australia, Panama, and Vietnam. He was always very proud of his time spent with the U-2 spy plane unit.

The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was transferred from Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, to Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, where Don continued his military service until his honorable discharge. He continued his career at DMAFB for 35 years as a civil servant until his retirement in 1997.

Don earned his private and commercial pilot’s licenses and his A & P license. He owned, restored, and flew several types of planes, but his favorite was his 1946 Globe Swift. In addition to airplanes, Don loved restoring classic cars. His daughters and grandson were the recipients of his labors of love – a 1957 red Chevy with Bel Air trim for his girls, and a white 1967 Chevy Camaro for his grandson.

Don’s boisterous personality and sense of humor endeared him to many. He never met a stranger. If you were his friend, you were his friend for life. His workshop was the local neighborhood hangout where his friends gathered to work on cars, and to share a beer and a good joke. He also enjoyed spending time out in the tulies rock-hunting and quail hunting with his friends.

Don will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. A memorial service will be held at East Lawn Palms Mortuary on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Cancer Society or the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.