Donald (Don) Korrell |
| Posted 2009-05-06 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, April 23, 2009 Donald Korell died at home on April 22, 2009, aged 73. He was born in Agency, Iowa, the youngest of three. A curious child with an intelligent mind, Don was a born engineer. Through scholarship and hard work, he graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1954 and Iowa State in 1959. As a bright young engineer, Don made his mark at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, rewarding them with many patents in avionics. There he fell for a young secretary named Sharon, who became his wife in 1964, a partnership that lasted the rest of his life. A new job brought their family of three (soon to be four) boys to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1971. At Steelcase Don developed his calm style of leadership, rising to director of research and development. Don excelled at fatherhood, as in all things he set his mind to, providing and caring with a quiet generosity that took all challenges in stride. He found a spirit of community in Cascade Christian Church that suited him well, becoming both elder and deacon. Moving on to Cleveland and Chicago, Don helped his sons attend college as an executive for USG. In 1996, he and Sharon purchased Mail Biz/Air-One Cellular in Prescott, Ariz., saying a fond farewell to midwestern winters. Don prospered in this new soil, taking great joy in tending his business, grandchildren and garden alike. He remained active in the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and Sunup Rotary Club, of which he served as president. Don was diagnosed with ALS in 2007. He retained his gentle spirit to the end, running Mail Biz with a smile, his dog Oakley and his trusty walker. Friendship came easily to Don. Though quiet by nature, he made everyone feel at home, welcomed. Integrity, loyalty and understanding infused his wisdom and his life. He follows in death his parents, Ray and Fern, and his sister Doris. Don is survived by his wife Sharon; his brother Keith; and his four sons, Todd (Debbie and Alana), Kevin (Heather), Mark (Alison, Sean and Scott) and Doug (Debby, Luke, Alyssa, Levi and Seth). Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at Heights Church in Prescott. Donations can be made to Hospice Family Care, hfc-az.com, and the ALS Association, alsaz.org. Chino Valley Funeral Home is caring for the family. Information provided by survivors. |
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