Donald (Don) Nettlebeck, age 89, passed away in the early morning of October 10, 2020, at Goldwater Assisted Living in Phoenix, Arizona. Preceding him in death was his beloved wife of 61 years, Deloris. Don is survived by his 4 children: Kathryn, Debra, David, & Kenneth; 6 Grandchildren: Beverly, Barry, Craig, Andrew, Brett, & Kyle; and 6 Great Grandchildren: Lexi, Sami, Alexa, Lainey, Mackenzie, and Brayden. A Memorial/Committal Service with Air Force Honor Guard was conducted 2/2/2021, 2 pm, at the National Memorial Cemetary of Arizona.

Highlights of Don's Life:

Don was born in Tacoma Washington and was the only child of Orville and Eva Nettlebeck. At age 10, the family moved to Los Angeles, California where Don graduated High School and eventually joined the US Air Force for 10 years serving during the Korean and early Vietnam Conflicts.

After attending basic training at Lackland AFB, Don became an Administrative Clerk for high-level officers and advancing quickly in rank to an E-5 (Staff Sergeant). Don was stationed stateside then did a tour of duty in Keflavik Iceland. In 1953 for one month, he traveled to England and carefully documented with notetaking and picture taking his travels during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.

In 1957, Don was transferred to Hickam AFB in Honolulu Hawaii where he met Deloris (Dee) on the beaches of Waikiki; three months later they were married in Monrovia California on July 22, 1957. Don and Dee returned to Hawaii until the Spring of 1958 when Don was transferred Stateside to Sacramento.
Four children within the next five years followed: Kathryn, Debra, David, & Kenneth. Don concluded his 10-year military career at McClellan AFB as his wife Dee requested he venture out and seek higher-paying work to support the growing family.
Don and his family moved to Charter Oaks California in 1962. There he applied and became an entry-level clerk typist for the Aerojet-General Corporation. The family eventually relocated/settled in Upland California and Don moved up quickly within the company and spent 27 years with Aerojet until his early retirement.
Don was involved in high level and previously classified projects to include the collaboration with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Program (that helped the US Air Force obtain the SR-71 Blackbird). Until recent years, this plane was always flown in secret and is now on display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

Don traveled extensively during the later years of his career to Robins AFB with Aerojet and to Washington DC at Langley. During his career and throughout his retirement, he never discussed his work.

Don was not especially fond of small children and became a Grandfather in 1979, and six grandchildren soon followed. Beverly was the first Grandchild and shared a home with him for several years. He always called her, “his fifth child,” and always remained an active part of his life, especially in his final years.

In 1993, Don and Dee moved to Del Webb’s Sun City Summerlin in Las Vegas Nevada. Don and Dee thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years going to the Suncoast Casino and out to a different favorite lunch spot each day. Whether traveling or being at home, Don enjoyed socializing while eating out and frequented Jason’s Deli, Starbucks, Famous Daves, Mimi’s Café, Carrabba's, Outback, and Olive Garden.

In his early years in Sun City, Don was a part of the Master Planned Community Violations board. He also enjoyed weekly trips to the Auto Swap Meet. Retirement was on his terms and participating in offered group social activities was never part of his plan.
Las Vegas was Don's favorite adopted Hometown. However, in the Winter of 2018, Deloris's health rapidly declined and she passed away the first week in February. Grief-stricken and with his own health slowly declining, Don agreed to move to Phoenix Arizona, and spent his final years near family and in an assisted living.

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