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Donald Fuller Obituary


Donald S. Fuller VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Donald Simpson Fuller, (Nov. 18, 1930 - Jan. 9, 2008) departed from this world Jan. 9, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was in his home surrounded by his family. He was a devout Catholic and a parish member of St. Gregory the Great. He was a humble man who never spoke of his accomplishments, but those who knew and loved him were aware of what a remarkable life he had led. Born in Boston, Donald Fuller was the son of a race horse trainer who spent his childhood moving from race track to race track until he entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. It was in serving his country that he finally felt that he had a home. While on duty in Washington, D.C., he met his beautiful bride and best friend of 52 years, Patsy D. Fuller. The bond they shared was so strong that they were as one rather than two separate people. Patsy will cherish his memory until they are together again forever. In 1967, they moved to Virginia Beach with their only son Patrick and settled down for good. Donald retired from the Navy in 1971 and went to work for a defense contractor until he completed his master's degree in education. He was a teacher at both Kempsville Junior High School and Kempsville High School. He contributed to a text book on history, his passion, helped develop the advanced placement history program and won a Teacher of the Year award. His greatest accomplishment though was the admiration of his students and fellow teachers, many of whom came to see him for years afterwards. He inspired those around him through his love of knowledge and helped many students fulfill their dream of a higher education. He was a true patriarch for the Fuller family holding us all together while never for a moment losing the love and respect of us all. His son, Patrick married his best friend Theresa and gave Donald five wonderful grandchildren to dote over. Patrick learned everything he knows about being a man from him and has tried to pass on these lessons to his children, Christina, Donald, Patricia, Briana and the youngest, Gabriel. Donald also has a great-grandson, Dylan. His family surrounded him in his passing much as they did in his life loving him to the end and beyond. They will miss him for the rest of their days but have been blessed with fond memories of an extraordinary man which they will carry in their hearts forever. Godspeed Papa, we all love and miss you. A memorial service will be held in Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, Monday at 2 p.m. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyer.com.





Published by The Virginian-Pilot from Jan. 10 to Jan. 11, 2008.

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