Obituary for Donald Roy Mulkey
DONALD ROY MULKEY
Donald Roy Mulkey, age 86, longtime Oak Harbor resident, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Island Hospital in Anacortes.
Donald Roy Mulkey was born October 5, 1935, in Grand Coulee, Washington, to Wendell Taggart Mulkey and Marjorie Alice (Bessey) Mulkey. His father was an engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation involved in the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. Don attended Coulee Dam, Hartline and Coulee City schools. The family moved briefly to Othello, and then to Palisades, Idaho, where Don graduated from Ririe High School in May 1953. Following high school graduation, Don attended Idaho State College in Pocatello for three years, later entering the US Navy. His duty stations after boot camp included: Airman Fundamentals School in Norman, OK; TDA School in Memphis, TN; HATUPAC and FRETUPAC at NAS Whidbey Island; Navy Station Adak in AK; Sub-school in New London, CT; TDB School in Memphis, TN; Recruit Tracon in San Diego; Fleet Training Center and Fleet ASW Training Center, also in San Diego. Don retired in San Diego, CA, in November 1976, after twenty years as a TDC (E-7). He was very proud of his military service to his country.
Don received his FAA Aircraft and Power Plant Mechanics License in May 1956. After his retirement from the military, he was an aircraft simulator technician at NAS Whidbey, a position from which he retired in January 1996. On August 19, 1988, he married Sandra J. Crank.
Don is survived by his beloved wife, Sande, at home in Oak Harbor; two step-daughters, Ann Michelle Harrison McAllister of San Diego, CA and Jean Marie Harrison Tierney and husband Chris of Madison, AL; sister Susan Jane Mulkey of Boise, ID; one brother, Bruce Allen Mulkey and wife Joan and family of Nampa, ID; one sister-in-law Michelle Marie McKenzie-Voigt and family of Evanston, IL.
Don was an avid hobbyist, with interests ranging from radios to antique tractors. He worked mostly in metal fabrications and gladly shared his expertise with friends. Camping in Eastern Washington was a favorite pastime for him and his family. Go-cart racing--in fact, auto racing of any kind--was of constant interest.
Private inurnment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Donald Roy Mulkey, age 86, longtime Oak Harbor resident, passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Island Hospital in Anacortes.
Donald Roy Mulkey was born October 5, 1935, in Grand Coulee, Washington, to Wendell Taggart Mulkey and Marjorie Alice (Bessey) Mulkey. His father was an engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation involved in the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. Don attended Coulee Dam, Hartline and Coulee City schools. The family moved briefly to Othello, and then to Palisades, Idaho, where Don graduated from Ririe High School in May 1953. Following high school graduation, Don attended Idaho State College in Pocatello for three years, later entering the US Navy. His duty stations after boot camp included: Airman Fundamentals School in Norman, OK; TDA School in Memphis, TN; HATUPAC and FRETUPAC at NAS Whidbey Island; Navy Station Adak in AK; Sub-school in New London, CT; TDB School in Memphis, TN; Recruit Tracon in San Diego; Fleet Training Center and Fleet ASW Training Center, also in San Diego. Don retired in San Diego, CA, in November 1976, after twenty years as a TDC (E-7). He was very proud of his military service to his country.
Don received his FAA Aircraft and Power Plant Mechanics License in May 1956. After his retirement from the military, he was an aircraft simulator technician at NAS Whidbey, a position from which he retired in January 1996. On August 19, 1988, he married Sandra J. Crank.
Don is survived by his beloved wife, Sande, at home in Oak Harbor; two step-daughters, Ann Michelle Harrison McAllister of San Diego, CA and Jean Marie Harrison Tierney and husband Chris of Madison, AL; sister Susan Jane Mulkey of Boise, ID; one brother, Bruce Allen Mulkey and wife Joan and family of Nampa, ID; one sister-in-law Michelle Marie McKenzie-Voigt and family of Evanston, IL.
Don was an avid hobbyist, with interests ranging from radios to antique tractors. He worked mostly in metal fabrications and gladly shared his expertise with friends. Camping in Eastern Washington was a favorite pastime for him and his family. Go-cart racing--in fact, auto racing of any kind--was of constant interest.
Private inurnment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.