DL Capt. Donald Paul COLBY

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Donald Paul COLBY

FEBRUARY 12, 1933 – DECEMBER 5, 2021

 

From family comes this sad news with the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain Don Colby, age 88.  Captain Colby joined Delta Air lines 11-19-1962 and was Dallas based at the time of his retirement.  Widowed in 2019 with the passing of his wife Lena “Lee’, Captain Colby is survived by his grand- and great granddaughters and their families.   

To view the obituary and share memories online please visit the funeral home site at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-jose-ca/donald-colby-10482273

Condolences may be sent to the Colby family at  

4807 MILL CREEK PL., DALLAS TX 75244-6913.

 

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary :  Donald Paul COLBY , Somerset-Reno, NV - 88 years old. Don was born in San Jose California on February 12, 1933, the son of late Donald Oliver Colby and Pauline K. Colby.

 

Don’s family lived in Willow Glen, a suburb of San Jose, and was educated at Willow Glen Grammar School and Lincoln and Willow Glen High School where he graduated as a member of the 1st graduating class of 1951.

 

Don attended Stanford University and San Jose State University graduating in the winter of 1956 with a degree in Political Science and History. It was here that he met the love of his life Lee, deceased September 18, 2019, and spent the next 65 years together. After graduating San Jose State Don, who was already a member of the Marine Corps Reserves, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserves. The next 5 years Don and his family were stationed at Marine Corps Quantico, Naval Air Station Pensacola and finally Marine Corps Air Station Santa Anna.

 

After release from active duty in the summer of 1961 Don was hired by United Airlines and flew with United until being hired by Delta Airlines in the fall of 1962.

 

Don flew for Delta for the next 31 years, flying the C-46, Convair 440, Douglas DC-6, 7, 8, 9 and Boeing 727 and he retired in February of 1993.

 

While pursuing his career as a commercial pilot, Don and his family raised cattle and horses on their ranch in Copper Canyon, Texas often supplying fellow pilots with fresh beef. Don was one of the founding fathers of Copper Canyon, helping incorporate the new community as a member of the Board of Alderman and later Mayor of Copper Canyon.

 

Don who had been raised around the automotive business was an avid car hobbyist building his 1st car while attending Junior High school. He continued to be involved with automobiles his whole life, collecting a number of vehicles both foreign and domestic. Don and his wife Lee established homes in Santa Fe and Reno and traveled extensively in their recreational vehicles throughout their lives visiting Mexico, Canada, and most of the United States. They finally resettled in Reno, Nevada in the Sierras for retirement.

 

Don is survived by his granddaughters, Lindsey Colby Benningfield and husband Josh and great granddaughter Everleigh, Elizabeth Colby Videen and her husband Gregory, and Emily Colby, all of Dallas, Texas.

 

Don is survived by nephews Paul Villareal, Brian Kuehnis, and niece Cindi Tarangioli and families of San Jose, California.

 

A graveside service for Donald will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 1:30 PM at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

 

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

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234765133/donald-paul-colby

…………………………………………………

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203295039/lena-may-colby

wife :   Lena May Colby

BIRTH      15 Feb 1935

DEATH     18 Sep 2019 (aged 84)

BURIAL    Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Santa Clara CA