Donald Melville Holdaway

1934 - 2016

Donald Melville Holdaway Born November 27, 1934, just 15 minutes after his twin brother Ronald, in Afton, Wyoming, to Fern and Orin Holdaway. Raised in Star Valley, Wyoming. Attended Afton public schools and graduated from Star Valley High School (1953) and the University of Wyoming (1959), the latter with a Juris Doctor in Law. After serving in the artillery in the Utah Army National Guard, Don received an officer's commission in the United States Air Force in 1960 as a Judge Advocate. He practiced law for the Air Force for 20 years, with assignments at Ramstein Airbase, Germany; Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado; the Pentagon; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington; and the US Embassy in Canberra, Australia. After retiring from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, he worked as a contract specialist for Spokane County Community Services, retiring in 1999. He loved and cherished his family above all, and considered his service in the Air Force to be his true vocation. Don loved reading histories of the American West and the Second World War, as well as philosophy and current events. He relished following politics, especially the current presidential race, listening to jazz, and watching major league baseball, primarily the Seattle Mariners. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and hiking in his beloved mountains surrounding Star Valley, Wyoming. He met his wife of 53 years, Doris, in Germany where she was teaching school for the US Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John, and his grandson-in-law, Jace Malek. He is survived by his wife, and his two children: son Eric Holdaway (wife Suzanne) and daughter Susan Nunley (husband Steven); four grandchildren: Joseph Nunley (wife Kaylee), Elizabeth Malek, Samantha Holdaway, and Emma Holdaway; and his two brothers: Brigadier General Ronald Holdaway, US Army, retired (wife Judy) of Draper, Utah, and Scott Holdaway of San Jose, California. A memorial service will be held at Westminster United Church of Christ, S. 411 Washington, Spokane, Washington, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26th, 2016. Please make any donations to the American Diabetes Association.