Donald (Don) W. Philpott peacefully passed away on February 7, 2024, at the age of 88. He was born July 24, 1935 in Roanoke, Alabama, to Willie and Wilma (Prescott) Philpott, who preceded him in death.

In his youth hunting and fishing were his main activities. He ran a pack of beagles to flush out the squirrels and rabbits, but fishing was his first and lifelong love.

He graduated high school in 1953, fearing the Army would draft him he enlisted in the Navy in 1954. His favorite day in the Navy was his discharge date.

In 1958 he entered Auburn University majoring in electrical engineering. He graduated in 1962, gained employment in aerospace with Boeing in Huntsville, Alabama. From Huntsville he was transferred to New Orleans. In 1964 he met Valerie (Val) J. Maurer from St. Louis, Missouri; they married in 1965 and headed back to Huntsville. Working on the Apollo Program, NASA asked him to apply for an open position on their launch team. He was ecstatic; he was part of at least 6 launches. Don wanted more time at home with his family which had grown to two children and another on the way. Martin Marietta was calling, we are going to Colorado! Years later a large lay off at Martin ended his aerospace career, he accepted a position with Stearns-Roger in the power division. After 15 years Martin called again, he returned and retired several years later.

We moved to Bueny in the year 2000. In 2015 he came down with a devastating illness that affected his heart, lungs and mobility, he would never walk on his land or fish again. His life journey has ended, his family is sure that he is once again walking and fishing.

He was a good, decent man. He loved God, his family and friends, our country, and Auburn.

Don is survived by his wife Val, son Christopher (Nerressa) Philpott, daughter Lynn (Joel) Christensen, and son Gregory Philpott and his grandchildren Ashley, Skylar, Cade, and Makai.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in his honor to The Nature Conservancy, St. Jude Hospital or St. Rose of Lima Church.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Rose of Lima in Buena Vista at 11am, Saturday, May 18, 2024.There will be a rosary for Don, the night before, Friday, May 17, 2024, at 6 pm.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through lewisandglenn.com.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Saturday
May 18, 2024
11:00 AM
St. Rose of Lima, Buena Vista, Colorado

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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