Donald John Rutan, Sr., age 67, of Compton, passed away Saturday, April 16 (2011) at Harrison.
Donald was born July 15, 1943, to Robert and Yvonne Rutan, at Brady, Texas.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his entire life. He loved to sit and watch them play and do all sorts of activities. He loved to build and fly remote control airplanes. He enjoyed outdoor activities like hunting, and pretty much anything to do with water sports.
Don was an atomic veteran in the U.S. Navy, stationed on the USS Norton Sound from 1961 to 1963. Don was a man of many parts; he worked as a machinist at the Boston Gear Works, owned his own small-engine repair business in Massachusetts for 15 years and retired as a U.S. Postal worker.
Don was involved with several clubs and associations throughout his life, a few of those being the Disabled American Veterans Association, the American Legion, the Eagles, the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Donald is survived by his wife, Barbara Coots-Rutan of Compton; daughter, Wendy and husband Paul of the home; his son, Donald J. Rutan, Jr. and his wife, Susan of Tennessee; his daughter, Kelly Cote and husband Bill of New Hampshire; four sisters, Judy Marriott and family of Colorado, Marcia Sandoval and family of Indiana, Robin Silas and family of Colorado and Laurel Tulipano and family of California; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandsons.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Yvonne; father, Robert; and brothers, Martin and Richard Rutan.
Donald left a legacy that will live on forever in the hearts of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services for Don will be held Friday, April 22, at Holt Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, April 22, with service at 3 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Don’s name at First Federal Bank, Harrison.
Cremation and arrangements are by Holt Memorial Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.holtchapel.com.
