Gone West: Donald James Staats

Donald James Staats passed away February 21, 2017 at Eden Hill Communities Healthcare.  He was born December 15, 1932 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Donald James and Nellie Marie Miller Staats.  A 1950 graduate of Ottumwa High School he attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois before joining the Air Force in May 1952 where he served in Tripoli, Libya and at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas until May 1956.  

His hobbies were reading, flying and painting being proficient in all.  He liked to laugh, tell stories and jokes, and make others laugh.  Don was a long time private pilot, and owned several small aircrafts throughout the years.  His favorite one that he flew up until recently was an open cockpit bi-plane yellow Rose Parrakeet.

Donald was a long time TXAAA member and was a sensitive and caring man who will be missed by all who knew him.

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