EDMISTON, Donald Ray

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - Donald Ray Edmiston passed away Nov. 13, 2011 at his residence in Lake Havasu City at the age of 82. He was born Aug. 5, 1929, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Clarence and Eleanor (Thomas) Edmiston. Prior to graduating high school, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served four years. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged on July 13, 1955, after an additional four years and one month of service to his country. Don worked for many years in the aerospace industry and worked at Cape Canaveral during the Apollo missions and the Poseidon and Trident Missile projects. He also worked at the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake where he contributed to the Minuteman and Trident Systems and Titan Four Programs at Edwards Air Force Base. Don was a member of the 28th Squadron Wing at Ellis Air Force Base. Don and his wife, Sharon, made Lake Havasu City their home nine years ago, moving from Ridgecrest, Calif. Don was a 53-year member of the Elks, a member of American Post 81 and enjoyed gardening in his spare time. Don is survived by his wife and best friend of 26 years, Sharon; sons, Rex Edmiston and his wife, Susan, of Manteca, Calif., and Tracy Edmiston and his wife, Tess, of Kaysville, Utah; daughter, Kim Wood, also of Kaysville, Utah; stepson, Jeff Canale, of Redding, Calif.; stepdaughter, Cynthia Aitken and her husband, Kenneth, of Lake Havasu City; brother, Gary Edmiston, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Eleanor; daughter, Regina Squires; and brother, Clarence Edmiston. Services will be Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. at Lietz-Fraze Chapel. The B.P.O.E. Lodge 2399 will hold a Lodge of Sorrow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s name may be made to Hospice of Havasu, PO Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405 or the Western Arizona Humane Society, 1100 Empire Drive, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.