SOCKRIDER, Donald D. (Don)

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Tuesday, May 05, 2015 Donald D. Sockrider U.S. Veteran May 14, 1925 - April 29, 2015 Col. USAF (Ret.) Donald D. Sockrider, 89, of Payson, Ariz., died from complications of liver cancer on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at his home in Payson. Don was born on May 14, 1925 in Auburn, Ind. to Dale and Grace (Mochamer) Sockrider. He graduated early from Troy High School in Ohio to join the Army during WWII. After the war, Don attended the Universities of Alabama, Toledo, New Mexico and Kalamazoo College. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics and Education from Colorado College. Don’s military career spanned 38 years beginning with WWII, where he graduated from the Army Air Corps Navigation School. He was assigned to a B17 Bomber crew, flying 34 combat missions over Germany, as well as bombing missions during the Korean War. He also flew supplies into wartime Viet Nam as part of the Arizona Air National Guard. During his civilian professional career, Don was a teacher, and banker where he worked in various departments, eventually becoming an Assistant Vice President. Don’s final civil position was with the State of Arizona as Senior Budget Analyst and Assistant Director of the Joint Legislature Budget Committee; retiring in 1990. Don’s first wife, Joan (Earl) Sockrider, predeceased him. Surviving them are their children, Sandra (Scott) Lacey, Kimball (Cathy Whitney) Sockrider, Susanne (Ron) Bragg and Donald Jr. (Angie Fraijo) Sockrider. In addition there are nine grandchildren, Samantha Lacey Hamilton, Craig Lacey, Sarah Sockrider Barela, Bryan Sockrider, Vanessa Bragg Kettle, Victoria Bragg, Lacey Sockrider Lloyd, Ashley Sockrider Wilcox and Donald Sockrider III. He was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his second wife, Isabella (Go); and her children, son, Michael Go; two daughters, Susan (Larry) Haukenes, Diane (Lance) Dodd; and three grandchildren, Erik Haukenes, Elis Haukenes and Chani Roth. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Wednesday May, 6 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Ponderosa Bible Church in Payson, Ariz. Graveside services are scheduled for Thursday May 7, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located in Phoenix.