Donald William Harclerode USAF (Ret.)

Donald Harclerode ,88, of Melbourne died peacefully in his sleep on April 17, 2021. Donald was the loving husband of Lorraine who predeceased him eight months ago. Donald is survived by his three children, Donna Harclerode, Steven Harclerode and Lynn Lamoureux; four step children, Cherylanne Knudson, Brenda Knudson Chouffi, Thomas Knudson, Noel Knudson, ten grandchildren and great grandchildren. Donald was born on a small farm near Bronson, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas earning a degree in petroleum engineering. Having taken Air Force ROTC Don entered the Air Force as a navigator and later decided to make the Air Force his career. He served for 26 years and rose to the rank of Lt Col., receiving numerous decorations, medals and badges. As a navigator, mostly with tankers, he served all over the world. Don’s most enjoyable assignment was Special Air Missions in Wiesbaden, Germany where he flew high ranking military, congressmen, ambassadors and other VIPs on special trips to Moscow and other Communist countries. After retiring from the service in 1982, Donald began another career doing financial planning for military officer families for 12 years. Donald was caring, compassionate, and was a loving husband, father, step-father and grandfather. He had a quick and witty sense of humor. He was a true gentleman and was very proud of his military service. Bridge was his favorite game and he had a special patient skill in teaching others to play. As an avid basketball fan, he could be found watching multiple games and could tell you the score of every KU Jayhawk game. Donald and his late wife, Lorraine, had been active members of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Merritt Island , Florida. A visitation and viewing will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 with a services starting at 11:00 at the Beekman Williamson Funeral Home, Cocoa Beach, Florida. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 pm on April 23, 2021 at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, Florida , where he will receive military honors. Donations can be made in his honor to the Military Officers Association of America educational scholarship fund. https://www.moaa.org/content/about-moaa/scholarship-fund/scholarship-fund/