Donald L. Wylie

The Falling of Autumn

When last the leaves cluttered my walkway
And golden tones spotted the shores
You still walked my earth and wrote in my skies
And brother, while distant, you were

Your footprints still marked the morning grass
And your lightstone phone calls made the day
New edifices built and new friendships flown
And brother, still growing, you were.

But last autumn you fell and autumn fell too
...

It seems like only yesterday that Texas Air Aces began. It seems like only yesterday Don and I would spend hours in his office just talking about (and usually laughing about) flying, the military, customer experiences, B737 characterisics, politics, family and kids, and... well, just life in general. It is hard to believe Don has been gone from us so long already.

Don was a best friend. Above and beyond his love of flying, and his skill, it will be Don's energetic love of life,...

Don was my friend and a mentor. I miss him, but will always cherish the memories of great flights and the friendship he provided me and many other folks. Keep 'em flying Don.

Don -
The NW Houston aviation communinity is deminished by your departure. Thank you for the flight knowledge you imparted to my son..he's recvd a UPT slot w/ Texang; I sure in large part from your influence made it possible. God Speed, J.B. Wood

I can't possibly express what impact Don "phantom" Wylie has had on my life, however, "can't" was never acceptable to Don, so I'll try. Don was many things to me. He was a friend, one of those that only enters one's life if you're lucky. He used to call me and offer flight time every chance he had. Sometimes it was to fly his daughter to college or to pick her up. Sometimes it was just because he needed "a fix". Don then became my flight instructor and instilled in me the knowledge,...

My father, my supporter, a hero in my eyes, the one who made me who I am today. The provider of the purest unconditional love I have ever known. I will miss Dad severely...his smile, his hugs, his humor, his love. I will not go a day without looking into his eyes in the many pictures I have of him. I will not stop telling stories, especially to his grandchildren - his life will not be forgotten. To Mom, I offer all the strength I know and the credit for all the strength she has had in the...

I can't begin to say all that is in my heart.

As Don's oldest sibling and only sister, his death leaves a hole in my heart that will never be filled.

MY thoughts & prayers are with all of you. LOve Eleanor & Ed Robbins,Jr.

I just returned home from the funeral events and was deeply honored that I was asked to say something at the service. To be part of Don's family and a small part of his interesting and valuable life, is nothing but humbling and rewarding.
I will miss Don more than I know right now, and I will mostly miss his joy.
God be with you Marie, Steve, Angie and Melanie.
Fly Don, on the wings of eagles.
Poge

Don was a cool guy. Don and I started as flight instructors at Ray's Flying Service in early 1987 at Weiser Airport. Every time I think of Don Wylie I start to laugh because we had so much fun during that 2 year period. Don refused to get old or act old. We used to jog up and down the runway early in the morning and lift weights in a hanger, then take cold showers with a water hose. Don shared many of his experiances in combat flying The F-4 phantom with me.
This morning I flew over...