Donald Lawless

Donald "Don" I. Lawless passed away on July 28, 2014 at Longmont United Hospital. He was 90 years old. Don was born on December 18, 1923 in Wichita, Kansas to Iliff Claude and Grace (Davis) Lawless. He grew up in Wichita where he graduated from Wichita High School North in 1941. He attended Park College in Missouri and then joined the United States Air Force. Don served in the Air Force from 1942 - 1945 where he was a member of the Flying Skulls the 85 th squadron, 79 th fighter group of the U.S. 12 th Air Force. Don flew 101 missions as a fighter pilot in a P47 in Italy, Corsica, and France. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force Don graduated from the University of Wichita with his bachelors degree in geological engineering. On December 20, 1945 Don married Eva Jean Wise in Wichita, KS. Together they moved to Longmont, CO in 2006. Don was a geological engineer with different oil companies before being appointed president of Bishop Oil Company; and later serving as vice president of NCRA Oil Company. Don oversaw the setup of oil wells in Ghana, Libya, Egypt, Trinidad and Tobago, and Prudhoe Bay in Canada. He was a member of the Wounded Warriors and American Legion Post #32. Don loved to travel all over the world with his wife; he wrote three books; was an avid astronomer, photographer, musician, artist, and a member of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Team. He once went on a one man photographic safari in Africa. Don was preceded in death by his wife Eva Jean in 2008; his parents; his brother Richard Lawless; and his sister Barbara Carey. He is survived by his son Mark Lawless of Phoenix, AZ; his daughter Donni (George) Betts of Greeley, CO; his grandchildren Jordi Betts, Kristi (Jac) Coil, Shawn Lawless and Ryan Lawless; his great-grandchildren Ainsley, Lauren, and Hayley Rose Coil; his niece Bette Madler; and his friend Joan Heddles. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday August 1, 2014 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Wounded Warriors in c/o Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.