Donald West Lord

(Asbury Park Press)

DONALD WEST LORD
AGE: 86 FORMERLY OF SPRING LAKE
Donald West Lord, 86, formerly of Spring Lake, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, of pneumonia. He was born in Galva, Ill. and was the son of Donald Dewey Lord and Irene West Lord. Don so loved the farm country from which he came that he recreated a farm atmosphere on his N.J. property by erecting a windmill. He lived in Red Bank, where he was the first leader of the Youth Fellowship of the Christ Episcopal Church. He also resided in Jersey City, Rahway, Little Silver, and Eatontown. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942, serving three years in World War II. He flew over 3,000 hours in B-24 Liberator Bombers as a flight engineer. He also served in the 20th Air Force in the South Pacific with the 505th Bomb Group on Tinian in the Marianas Islands. (484th Engineer Group) This is where the famous "Enola Gay" B-29 took off to bomb Hiroshima, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945. He was very proud to have served and protected his country. After serving in the Air Force, he attended Monmouth University, worked as a banker in NYC, and did sales for Aunt Jemima. He worked for Thomas J. Lipton in sales and sales management for 30 years, where he was very loved and admired for his personality and hard work. Don Lord was a lifetime collector of antique cars since the age of 10, winning several National Prizes for restored cars. He was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America and a loved member and judge of N.J.'s North Shore Antique Auto Club. Mr. Lord loved collecting antiques and farm equipment. He adored planting flowers and trees, and over 200 Heritage tomato plants. He attracted and maintained over 100 endangered Purple Martin birds on his property, and joined the Purple Martin Conservation Association.
Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Dorothy Lord; two daughters, Cynthia and her husband Kevin Ruddy of Howell, Diane Lord of Wall; son, Mark Lord of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; brother, Jack Lord of Janesville, Wisconsin; first cousin, Dr. Jonathan Lord, of Greeley, Colo.; first cousin, Johanna Morrell of Denver, Colo.; and great-nephew, Dr. Bryce Lord of Indianapolis, Ind.
Visiting will be from 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6 until the service at noon at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Highway 35, Wall. Interment will be held the following week and those wishing to attend may call 732-735-7733 for the date. Don Lord requested that in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to Farm Sanctuary, 3150 Aikens Road, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, who advocate for escaped slaughterhouse animals and the Cat Assistance Network, Box B, Allenhurst, NJ 07711, which works hard to bring comfort to local homeless outdoor cats.
Don Lord, was a wonderful husband and very caring father. His kind and gentle nature made him loved by all. He inspired through example living by the Golden Rule. We miss you so much and thank you for the love you gave us.
For more information, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.