Donald Albert BLESSING
Obituary

Daily Times-Call, The (Longmont, CO) - September 4, 2009
Deceased Name: Donald 'Don' A. Blessing April 17, 1925 — Sept. 2, 2009
Donald "Don" A. Blessing, 84, of Longmont died Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at Longmont United Hospital.

Born in Shelton, Connecticut, on April 17, 1925, Don was the third child born to Albert Blessing and Louise Fratcher.

He was preceded in death by his brother Charles and sister Marge. His lone surviving sister, Lil, resides in Ansonia, CT.

Don leaves behind a wife of 52 years, Marabelle of Longmont; his oldest son, Gary Gordon and wife Diane of Whidbey Island; son and daughter-in-law Scott and Ann Blessing; daughter and son-in-law Terry and Steve Brookins, both of Longmont; and several grandchildren, Tiffany Gordon, Shay, Troy and Kelsey Blessing and Ben and Sarah Brookins.

Don grew up during the Depression, and his work ethic was developed during these hard times.

At 8, he would go to work each morning before the school day at a local farmer's and exchange chores for eggs or milk to bring back to the family.

When he was 14, he shuffled school and studies around his job at a lumber mill, where he stayed until age 17, when he joined the Navy.

Don served actively and in the Reserves of the Navy from 1942 to 1967. He saw World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He climbed from seaman to chief warrant officer over the years and had several major accomplishments — one being perfecting the fuel injection on the diesel engines of the ships, another being selected to create and implement the manual for the U.S. Naval Reserve training program that is still in use today.

Having a Family First mentality, Don left the Navy in 1967 to help an ailing relative run his turkey farm. This was the beginning of his second career in the poultry business that spanned three decades with five different companies in four states and two counties.

Upon his retirement from ConAgra Foods Longmont, Don and Ronny Strear went in on a joint venture and started an herb farm outside of Hygiene, Colorado, before officially retiring.

Don's final years were spent at home with his family, where he enjoyed gardening, repairing this, that and the other for his family and keeping up to date with current events through all available media channels.

No formal services are planned. Cremation at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Share condolences at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel .com.



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