With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Donald R. Elliott, 84,.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew him best.
The story begins in 1934, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
The years of a long life accumulate into something larger than time.
Donald R. Elliott, 84, of Brighton, died on November 19, 2018. Don was born on January 10, 1934, in Hurley, South Dakota, at the home of his parents, Burton F and Susan (Lakings) Elliott. He attended Hurley Public Schools, graduating from Hurley High School in 1952. Don graduated in 1957 from Colorado A & M (now known as Colorado State University). Don married Doris LaVonne Salmen on June 9, 1957, in Golden, Colorado. Doris is the daughter of Kenneth Nelson and Dora Gertrude (Seyer) Salmen.Don attended the U.S. Naval School of Pre-Flight starting in December 1957, graduating No. 1 in Class 49-57 as Regimental Commander. He received the Outstanding Student Award and with Distinction for high academic, physical and military performances. He was commissioned an Ensign on Easter Day, 1958. Don became a Naval Aviator on May 15, 1959, after completion of Advanced Flight training in Kingsville, TX. Following completion of flight training, he was assigned to VS-37, a carrier-based anti-submarine squadron, based at NAS Los Alamitos, Long Beach, CA. In 1960, he became a part of VS-35 stationed at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA. He was assigned to CVSG-57 in his final months of service as LSO (Landing Signal Officer). He went on two seven-month cruises to the Far East on the USS Hornet, 1960 and 1962. After completing his navy service in 1963, Don's career was primarily in the computer industry in sales and management, principally with Control Data Corporation and Wang Laboratories.After Don retired in 1995, he became active in Columbine Genealogical & Historical Society, helping the Society with publishing of books. He held several offices, including President. Books Don authored or compiled include Place Names of Colorado, 1999, Cemeteries ofColorado, 2006, Colorado Cemetery Indexes I, II, and III, 2006-2007, and CVSG-57 Carrier ASW Stories, 2006-2007, as well as smaller projects.Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris; daughters Julia Van De Wille (Hugo) of Rockville, MD, Janet Greenwood (Jim) of Lincoln, NE, Jodie Eisenach (David) of Brighton, and Jennifer Lee (Jon) of Flagstaff, AZ; sister Elaine Jelinek of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Alex, Kathleen, Emma, Taylor, Jalen, Jacob, and Jordan; and great grandson, Alistair.Funeral service to be held on Saturday, November 24, 11:00 a.m., at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Brighton.Donald will be laid to rest at the Hurley Cemetery, Hurley, South Dakota.
