Donald Duane Wilkes' Obituary
Donald Duane Wilkes, age 92, of Culpeper, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on November 1, 2023. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Darlene and their four children, Mark (and wife Alice}, Nathan, Marisa (and husband Jim Gainer) and Nicole (and husband Jay Roche}. He was blessed with 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers Ervin and Larry, and is survived by his brother Bryce, his sister Janice, and his sister-in-law Sharon, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.
Don was born on his grandparent's farm in Berthold, North Dakota on January 29, 1931 to Glen and Edna (Benedict) Wilkes-Bry. He was the oldest of five children and when his parents divorced, he stepped into a leadership role on the farm and in his family. He graduated at the top of his class from Lone Tree High School in 1949. After working for a year, he continued his education at North Dakota State University where he joined the Army ROTC. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Economics. He was commissioned to active duty in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant.
Growing up during the Depression and World War II, he was motivated to commit the first part of his adult life to service to his country, serving in the US Army for 25 years. He responded to his country's ultimate call to service with two wartime tours of duty in Vietnam (1962-63 and 1967-68). He was a leader of helicopter platoons, taking great risks delivering troops and supplies into war zones and rescuing wounded soldiers from the battlefields. During these tours, he earned two Purple Hearts and numerous other commendations.
During his service to his country, he was accompanied by his equally dedicated wife to multiple Army bases in seven states and to overseas tours in Germany, Turkey and Australia. Don and Darlene were blessed with the birth of their four children during the overseas tours. He ended his military career with an extended tour in the Pentagon and settled in northern Virginia. During his military career, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military time, he also earned a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from USC.
Upon his retirement from the Army in 1977, he traded his wings for a Cadillac and embarked on a second career as a Real Estate agent. With a heavy foot, a light joke, determination, he helped numerous families find a house they could make their home. He was successful and won many awards. He enjoyed the flexible schedule this career afforded him, allowing him to spend more time with his family. He completed his real estate career with a three-generation partnership with his son and grandson. In his later years, he and Darlene enjoyed relaxing, boating, fishing, crabbing, celebrating family birthdays and holidays at their waterfront cottage in southern Maryland.
Don never fully retired during his earthly life, and we imagine he will not in heaven, either. He would always find a way to serve those around him and make someone smile in his own special way. His wife and family hope to carry on the humble way he served, his love of family and friends, and his commitment to truth, justice and the enduring freedoms of the American way of life.
His funeral will be on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Home, Culpeper, VA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Final burial with full military honors will be at Arlington Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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