Posted on 02/09/2018
(1926 – 2018)
Donald Joseph Loudon passed away peacefully at his residence in Morgan Hill, CA, on January 27, 2018. He was born the third of seven children to Roy Virgil and Nellie Veronica (née Dailey) Loudon on June 8, 1926, in Grant, Nebraska. The family moved to Hastings, Nebraska and eventually to Lincoln, Nebraska. Donald loved singing and dancing as well as playing the trumpet.
The advent of World War 2 changed everything. After graduating from high school Donald enlisted in the Navy and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, from which he graduated in 1949. He was one of six midshipman battalion commanders appointed for this position at the US Naval Academy where he had 600 men under his command. After serving his duty and attaining the rank of Lieutenant, Donald remained in the Naval Reserves and eventually earned the rank of Captain. Donald served on both large and small ships and was part of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he received FBI atomic energy clearance. He received a letter of commendation from his commander for outstanding performance of duty aboard the USS Duncan during the Korean War.
Donald attended Stanford University Business school, and received his MBA in 1957. Donald moved to San Francisco, where he worked for Scudder Stevens and Clark as an investment counselor until retiring in 1976.
Donald spent much of his retirement cruising the world, often with his sisters and brother as well as nieces and nephews. Family members have many memories of Donald dancing with them on cruises, and insisting that everyone join in singing family songs. One of his favorite songs was "Love Changes Everything". He will also be remembered for his famous jokes at family reunions.
Education was very important to Donald as he graduated #1 in his junior high class, #1 in his high school class (he was chosen to be the senior class speaker), top third of the Naval Academy graduating class, and #1 in his business school class. Even more important to Donald was his love of family. Donald was generous with his time and his money. He was always ready to help out if someone was in need, or to encourage them to go after their dreams.
In lieu of flowers please pay it forward and contribute to anyone you know of who might need help with their dreams.
Funeral services will take place on March 3rd at 2 pm at Saint Catherine's Catholic Church in Morgan Hill, California.
Published on NYTimes.com from Feb. 5 to Feb. 6, 2018