Donald Gale Neros Dies; Longtime Sitkan was 84

Donald Gale Neros

 

Donald Gale Neros, a Sitka resident for more than 40 years, passed away on March 29, 2022, at the age of 84.

He was born Sept. 13, 1937, in Rugby, North Dakota, the son of Olga (Sivertson) and Irwin Spencer Neros. He had an older brother, Orlan. His grandparents were born in Norway. He loved his country, and was very proud to be a second generation American.

Don graduated from Enderlin high school in North Dakota, and attended one year at the University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks.

He served in Guam with the Air National Guard, a reserve force of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a chief master sergeant from the guard and FAA on Dec. 3, 1997, after giving 39 years of service to his country.

He married Jacqueline Faye Clem on Feb. 15, 1959, at the Evangelical Free Church in Enderlin.

In 1961, Don brought his family to Alaska, living in Anchorage (Spenard), King Salmon and then, in 1980, in Sitka.

He was a member of the Methodist Church, a positive person with a great sense of humor.

He loved his dogs and horses, hunting and fishing, reading, western movies, daily phone calls with Sonny Clem and daily emailing, for 20 years, with a group of 1955 high school classmates, his wife’s sister and brothers, and special friends David Anderson, Steve Geoghegan and Sam Scalcucci.

When he lived in North Dakota he got a pilot’s license and owned a Piper Cub with his dad.

Most of all, Don loved his family – his wife, of Sitka, and his children: Jonie Lane (his Lanie) and Scott Calhoun of Sitka; Donie Lisa (his Lisa) and Steven Coleman of Anchorage; O’Dina Winn Neros (his Dina) of Mayfield, Kentucky; and Christopher Wade (his Tiff) and Jen of Bellingham, Washington.

His grandchildren are Adam, Ryne and Cinthia, Janae and Dan, Stefan, Becca and Carlton, Bryn and Katie, Trevan and Courtney, Taryn, Harley, Fia, and Laney and Darby.

His great-grandchildren are Nik, Junior, Caleb, Yareli, Camille, Ysa, Ava, Houston, and Josie and Lissi.

Don was a good man, a caretaker, the best son, husband, Dad and Papoo, his family said. “Psalm 46:1 was our anchor,” they said. “This time, God said enough, and took him home.”

Don requested no funeral be held and that his ashes be scattered where flowers grow.

A family and friends gathering is planned in September.

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20 YEARS AGO

December 2004

Photo caption: David Voluck reads a blessing while lighting a menorah during a community gathering observing the eight-day Chanukah festival. Honored speakers included Woody Widmark, STA  president, and Assembly member Al Duncan.

50 YEARS AGO

December 1974

From On the Go: More college students home for the holidays – Bill and Isabella Brady have a houseful. Ralph is here from the Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute, along with his fiancee Grace Gillian; Louise is here from the University of New Mexico, and Jennifer, who’s working with IEA in Anchorage is home with her fiance Lance Ware.

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