He will be sadly missed by his close friend and partner Peggy Klepic. Don worked for Rohrer Engineering and retired from Forester Systems in 2000. Donald Stratton was one of the last three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. All Rights Reserved 2022. We found his family living in Arkansas, but Joe passed in the early 90s. Bruner, who also made the climb across the rope with Stratton, died Sept. 10 at age 98. Donald A. Stratton, 60, of 560 E. Garwood St., died yesterday at 6:30 p.m. in Alliance City hospital following an illness of one week. "He gave us his words, through 'All the Gallant Men,' that will never be forgottenand you will never be forgotten," said Stratton's son, Randy. If desired, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Ave #1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Mt. Despite the horror he experienced aboard Arizona, he spent the next year itching to return to the Navy. 'Don' Stratton, age 86, of Wexford, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020 at North Hills Health and Rehabilitation in Wexford. This image is an artists recreation of the burns Donald suffered during Pearl Harbor. Even though Stratton lived in Colorado, and Landon lived in North Carolina, they developed a friendship. Per Doc's wishes, a private family service was held. Finally, in February 1944, he was allowed to reenlist. Still, George "kept saying, 'Come on sailor! Donald Stratton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Donald was born March 18, 1935 in Boardman, a son of James Allen and Ruth (Craig) Stratton. Donald was a faithful member of Mount Olivet United Church of Christ for over 60 years. A sailor on the ship, a supply vessel called the USS Vestal, was about to cut the line when he saw the six men on the tower. Stratton died of natural causesin Colorado Springs, Colo., his family said. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. The Colorado Springs man was 97. The funeral procession stretching. The couple was married for 69 years where they travelled the world and grew a beautiful family. After the war, he returned home for a while, but he felt the call of the sea again and went to work on an oil ship off California. 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Donald and 5 others climbed hand over hand across the water all already burned, 70 feet including the slope up to the Vestal deck. But the flames found us, catching us all on fire, burning off our clothes, our hair, our skin.". Donald B. Stratton, Sr., 80, of Camillus, passed away peacefully at home. Stratton watched as the sailor waved off another man on the deck and struggled witha line. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. In addition to his parents, Donald is preceded in death by his sisters Martha Hickman and Carol Orr. ". Donalds life was chronicled in the book All the Gallant Men which can be found online and your local book stores. in memory of Donald G Stratton, please visit our floral store. As the WWII B-25 circled around the funeral, on the ground, family and friends spoke, wearing Hawaiian shirts and our nation's colors. Dave began his teaching career in the Chicopee Public Schools before transferring to the Springfield Public School System. Menu. It is unknown if Batchelor was injured. Instead, heescaped the flames, recovered and went on to reenlist in the Navy, work in thecommercial diving businessand travel the world. In July 2017, Stratton, Bruner and Potts were invited to the White House, where they made their plea to President Donald Trump. Donald was predeceased by his daughter, Donna Stratton; parents, Robert and Ida Stratton; and brother, Robert Stratton Jr. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. My heart goes out for the families, as well as all those who sacrificed for their great country so I could be writing this right now! On the morning of December 7, 1941, a 19-year-old Donald was beckoned to his battle station as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor sending the Navy's flagship, the USS Arizona to the depths. He was 97. With his death, only two survivors remain from the last crew of the USS Arizona: Lou Conter, 98, of Grass Valley, California, and Ken Potts, 98, of Provo, Utah. Both traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2017to meet President Trump in the White House and then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at the Pentagon. 16 years later, and many many many conversations with Navy Command, the Strattons were able to secure a medal the Bronze Star with Valor to Joe George. Donald Stratton died late Saturday at his home in Colorado Springs. Family flowers only, donations, if desired may be given for Stroke Association, by retiring . He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mildred; daughter Becky (Brad) Bierdeman; son Allen (Jodie) Stratton; Grandchildren Brennan Stratton, Zac White and Marissa White; and great grandchildren Lucy, Zander, and Tatum. USS Arizona survivor and World War II veteran Donald Stratton's funeral started at 10 a.m.., and hundreds showed up to pay their respects, even in mid-air. "We got hit with the big bomb and that exploded like a million pounds of ammunition. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jessie, daughters Gypsy Dawn and Roxane Jo and son Robert, brother Daryl and sister Norma and great grandson DJ. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. World War II veteran Donald Stratton was transported in a funeral procession from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Red Cloud, Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 29. Wittmer said the procession included other groups besides the Patriot Guard, including American Legion riders. Throughout his life, Donald asked himself that very question. He also piloted the flyover at Stratton's funeral. George and the ship's captain "were engaged in some kind of a debate, a heated one " that conveyed to Stratton that "we didn't have a chance.". Were all just extremely sad, said Randy Wittmer, a member of the Colorado Patriot Guard who attended Strattons funeral but did not ride in the procession following the service. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Home / Articles / Donald Stratton, USS Arizona Survivor, Has Died. It was quite a sight for an old flatlander like me to see a 35,000-ton battleship out of the water, he said. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. At 19 years old he enlisted in the US Navy and was then assigned to the USS Arizona. Donald G. Stratton, was born July 14, 1922 in Inavale, Nebraska to Robert and Jessie Stratton and upon graduation from high school in Red Cloud, he enlisted in the Navy and was a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Arizona. For Stratton, Bruner and the four other men, salvation appeared in the form of Joe George, a sailor and boxer on the Vestal. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. He wanted to be at home, Randy said. Born May 18th, 1934, in Freedom, he was a retired engineer for Pittsburgh Gears, a member of the Shriners in Rochester, and was a veteran of the . A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 23 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Stratton is survived by his brother Willie, his son Randy Stratton, his wife, Velma, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All Rights Reserved. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of You will be my forever hero.". Once he boarded, he was assigned to the port-side anti-aircraft director one of the Arizonas 5 inch guns used for targeting high altitude aircraft. He was 97. "I'll come out every year I can until I'm gone.". You have permission to edit this article. Enter His wife, Velma, and his son, Randy, were with him. This Saturday, Landon will say his final goodbye to his friend in Colorado Springs, as the 8-year-old was asked to be a speaker at Donald's memorial. A Dodge Grand Caravan driven by 51-year-old Tanja Batchelor of Colorado Springs was driving behind Riedel and struck him in the passing lane. Donald Gene Stratton, 84 of Fayetteville passed away Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Willard Walker Hospice Home. He heaved it toward the Arizona. A year later, he reenlisted. This article is written by William Cole from The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. DONALD STRATTON - Prince Frederick, Maryland , Sewell Funeral Home - Memories wall BROUGHT TO YOU BY Sewell Funeral Home DONALD JAY STRATTON Prince Frederick, Maryland October 6, 1956 - December 5, 2018 Share Obituary: Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of DONALD JAY STRATTON. You can make it,'" Stratton recalled. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner), The Honolulu Star-Advertiser | By William Cole. Mr. Strattons life was recently chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Eight-year-old Landon Knestrick from North Carolina spoke at the service. The crew settled into a routine, in port and on training exercises at sea. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. Donald Stratton returned to the Pacific, took part in campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines, and the Battle of Okinawa. While on the Arizona the Tradewinds began to blow some of the smoke away, and the sailors got the attention of a sailor on the USS Vestal, named Joe George. He was reared in Westhope and graduated Westhope High School in 1968. The Strattons knew they had to right that wrong. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. Obituaries Section. 2023 Williams Funeral Homes. Stratton will be eulogized at services in Colorado Springs,. In the Army, you were crawling around in the mud and everything else, and I didnt want to do that.. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. Stratton was a sight setter. Services Sunday . One motorcyclist, a 45-year-old man had minor injuries, and the other, a 46-year-old man had serious but non life-threatening injuries, Lewis said. Without Joe, my dad wouldnt have been here, Randy Stratton said Sunday. Olivet Church, and again on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 10:00 am until the time of the service. After years of striving to recognize Joe for his heroism that day, Donald, Lauren Bruner and their families, stood aboard the USS Arizona Memorial December 7, 2018 to posthumously honor Joe George with a Bronze Star with a V. The courage and bravery of Joe and the grit and grace of Donald has weaved together a precious community of families that hope to keep the memory of Pearl Harbor alive. Donald Stratton passed away at age 72 years old on April 9, 2008. It indicates, "Click to perform a search". Donald J. Donald was. Let others know about your loved one's death. | Theme: Fairy by Candid Themes. Donald reenlisted in the Navy, went through boot camp a second time, and was stationed on the USS Stack for the remainder of the war. He is survived by his brother Willie and his son Randy Stratton (Kathy) and wife Velma. Your browser does not support this video format. As long as there be war, I must answer Am I worth dying for?. Donald R. Doc Stratton, age 60 of Roseville, MN, formerly of Westhope, died Saturday in Roseville. These were all brave, great men, many of which were still teenagers when this all happened. Don loved being outdoors and in his beloved hobby shop where he spent countless hours with his son Allen where they would work meticulously on various projects. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Don was with the Army from 1959 to 1962, during which he was a radio relay and carrier operator. A fireball swallowed the control tower where Stratton had climbed minutes before. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Stratton survived the attack on Pearl Harbor with courage, the . 2023 Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home. His legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his grandchildren: Dana Stratton, Kimberly Brewer, Robert Stratton Jr., (Becky), Jessika Caldwell (Tony) and Nicole Stratton. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. What a great story that needs to be heard for many more years! While he enjoyed riding in his side by side the many miles of trails with his wife, he met many fellow campers there who became special friends. He quietly departed this life Saturday, February 15, 2020 in his Colorado Springs, CO home alongside his wife and son. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Market data provided by Factset. In time, he tried to let go of his anger toward the Japanese, but he could never forget what happened. On December 7, 1941, the United States suffered devastating losses On the morning of December 7, 1941, six sailors were To stay up to date on the latest information about Pearl Harbor, please follow us! The license plate readUSS ARIZ, and amural on a white bed cover depicted the USS Arizona and the memorial that floats above it in Pearl Harbor. He was married to Toni Lunde and this marriage later ended. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "One thing is for certain : Had Joe George not stood up for us, had he not been a rebel and refused to cut the line connecting the Vestal to the Arizona, we would have been cooked to death, " Stratton wrote. Joe was on deck fighting fires spread from the Arizona. Donald was buried next to his two daughters and now wife. To send flowers Receive a notification when services are updated. Donald Richard Stratton of Emory, Rains County, Texas was born on March 23, 1936. A funeral service will be held at the North Devon Crematorium on Tuesday 28th February at 10.20am. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. USS Arizona crew member and Pearl Harbor survivor Donald Stratton was honored with a memorial service Saturday morning in Colorado Springs. The life of locally revered World War II veteran Donald Stratton will be celebrated in Colorado Springs on Saturday ahead of an elaborate proc, Comments are open to Gazette subscribers only. The motorcycle landed in the median. Mr. Franklin was a 1938 graduate of Osgood High School and was an Army veteran of WWII where he served in the 119th Infantry Regiment and the 30th Infantry Division. An Arizona crew that once numbered 1, 512 is now down to two. 2023 PearlHarbor.Org is under the ownership of Mauka Tours LLC effective May 1, 2021. All rights reserved. Many Colorado Patriot Guard members only went as far as Limon, where other Patriot Guard riders took over the escort, he said. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. The latest breaking news, delivered straight to your email! [1] [2] [3] He was in the port gun director of the ship USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when an armor-piercing bomb set off the ship's forward ammunition magazine. He taught. Men being strafed as they brought boxes of ammo up ladders to the antiaircraft guns. He saidGeorge threw them a lifeline from his own ship, which was moored next to the Arizona. His actions saved the injured Stratton and five of his shipmates. He wanted to avenge all of his brothers lost on December 7th, 1,177 of them. 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donald stratton funeral