Captain Donald J. Aites, 73, USCG retired, known as DJ to friends and family, passed away at home in Sequim, Wash., on Oct. 11, 2011.
Born March 15, 1938, in Oil City, DJ was the son of the late Charles and Mary Schreckengost Aites.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1955, enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard soon after graduation.
He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 30 years, ending his military career as commanding officer of the Coast Guard base in Los Angeles, followed by service as the Coast Guard liaison to Hollywood. A Vietnam veteran, he co-authored "Operation Tight Reign, the Story of the Strategic Loran C Chain in Southeast Asia (1965-1966)."
He was highly decorated during his service and very proud of his military career accomplishments. He officially retired April 1, 1985.
DJ earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a juris doctorate degree from the Southwestern University College of Law, completing both while he was full-time Coast Guard, husband and father. He was also a graduate of the NTSB Aircraft Accident Investigation School.
After retiring from the Coast Guard, he practiced law in California until moving to Sequim in 1988. DJ then obtained his brokers real estate license just for the challenge of it.
He loved to camp, hunt and fish on the West End, especially along the Hoh River. He owned a boat for salt water fishing and always enjoyed spending time on the water.
He also loved to golf and once made a hole-in-one at Dungeness Golf Course. He was an avid reader and puzzle solver, doing Mensa challenges to keep himself sharp.
Capt. Aites was very service-minded and belonged to several local and national organizations including the BPOE (Elks), VFW (lifetime member), the California State Bar, the Naval Aviation Foundation, The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl (lifetime member), MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), the International Footprint Association and the Foundation for Coast Guard History (lifetime member). He was a longtime supporter of the Elks' Coats for Kids program, helping to supply coats and shoes to local residents in need.
DJ married Barbara Carel-Schilling on Jan. 15, 1971, in Traverse City, Mich. Together they lived in Traverse City, Clinton, Md., Clear Lake, Texas, and finally, Westminster, Calif. Barb preceded DJ in death in 1981.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Pearl Myers and brother-in-law, James A. Myers of Rouseville; his daughters, Laurie Rivers of Sequim, Wash., and Julie Williams and her husband, Doug, of Saugus, Calif.; his grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Zoe, Samantha and Clarice; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
In addition to his parents and wife, Barbara, he was preceded in death by his sons, Boyd and Eric; his sister, Mary and her husband, Norm Nuhfer; and his brother, Charles "Chuck" Aites and Chuck's wife, Virginia.
A memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 21, at the Sequim Elks Lodge, followed by his interment at Holyrood Cemetery in Edmonds on Saturday, Oct. 22.
DJ's memorial service was very well attended and both daughters, as well as many friends, shared stories and memories of this great man. The opening prayer was led by Capt. Tony Hahn of the Port Angeles station. He was paid honors during the service by the Elks, the Footprinters and the VFW. The Coast Guard provided an honor guard, flag folding ceremony and gun salute, and ended the memorial with "Taps" and a helicopter flyover.
Loved by his family and friends, an asset to his community and country, DJ will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Born March 15, 1938, in Oil City, DJ was the son of the late Charles and Mary Schreckengost Aites.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1955, enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard soon after graduation.
He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 30 years, ending his military career as commanding officer of the Coast Guard base in Los Angeles, followed by service as the Coast Guard liaison to Hollywood. A Vietnam veteran, he co-authored "Operation Tight Reign, the Story of the Strategic Loran C Chain in Southeast Asia (1965-1966)."
He was highly decorated during his service and very proud of his military career accomplishments. He officially retired April 1, 1985.
DJ earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a juris doctorate degree from the Southwestern University College of Law, completing both while he was full-time Coast Guard, husband and father. He was also a graduate of the NTSB Aircraft Accident Investigation School.
After retiring from the Coast Guard, he practiced law in California until moving to Sequim in 1988. DJ then obtained his brokers real estate license just for the challenge of it.
He loved to camp, hunt and fish on the West End, especially along the Hoh River. He owned a boat for salt water fishing and always enjoyed spending time on the water.
He also loved to golf and once made a hole-in-one at Dungeness Golf Course. He was an avid reader and puzzle solver, doing Mensa challenges to keep himself sharp.
Capt. Aites was very service-minded and belonged to several local and national organizations including the BPOE (Elks), VFW (lifetime member), the California State Bar, the Naval Aviation Foundation, The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl (lifetime member), MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), the International Footprint Association and the Foundation for Coast Guard History (lifetime member). He was a longtime supporter of the Elks' Coats for Kids program, helping to supply coats and shoes to local residents in need.
DJ married Barbara Carel-Schilling on Jan. 15, 1971, in Traverse City, Mich. Together they lived in Traverse City, Clinton, Md., Clear Lake, Texas, and finally, Westminster, Calif. Barb preceded DJ in death in 1981.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Pearl Myers and brother-in-law, James A. Myers of Rouseville; his daughters, Laurie Rivers of Sequim, Wash., and Julie Williams and her husband, Doug, of Saugus, Calif.; his grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Zoe, Samantha and Clarice; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
In addition to his parents and wife, Barbara, he was preceded in death by his sons, Boyd and Eric; his sister, Mary and her husband, Norm Nuhfer; and his brother, Charles "Chuck" Aites and Chuck's wife, Virginia.
A memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 21, at the Sequim Elks Lodge, followed by his interment at Holyrood Cemetery in Edmonds on Saturday, Oct. 22.
DJ's memorial service was very well attended and both daughters, as well as many friends, shared stories and memories of this great man. The opening prayer was led by Capt. Tony Hahn of the Port Angeles station. He was paid honors during the service by the Elks, the Footprinters and the VFW. The Coast Guard provided an honor guard, flag folding ceremony and gun salute, and ended the memorial with "Taps" and a helicopter flyover.
Loved by his family and friends, an asset to his community and country, DJ will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Captain Donald J. Aites, 73, USCG retired, known as DJ to friends and family, passed away at home in Sequim, Wash., on Oct. 11, 2011.
Born March 15, 1938, in Oil City, DJ was the son of the late Charles and Mary Schreckengost Aites.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1955, enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard soon after graduation.
He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 30 years, ending his military career as commanding officer of the Coast Guard base in Los Angeles, followed by service as the Coast Guard liaison to Hollywood. A Vietnam veteran, he co-authored "Operation Tight Reign, the Story of the Strategic Loran C Chain in Southeast Asia (1965-1966)."
He was highly decorated during his service and very proud of his military career accomplishments. He officially retired April 1, 1985.
DJ earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a juris doctorate degree from the Southwestern University College of Law, completing both while he was full-time Coast Guard, husband and father. He was also a graduate of the NTSB Aircraft Accident Investigation School.
After retiring from the Coast Guard, he practiced law in California until moving to Sequim in 1988. DJ then obtained his brokers real estate license just for the challenge of it.
He loved to camp, hunt and fish on the West End, especially along the Hoh River. He owned a boat for salt water fishing and always enjoyed spending time on the water.
He also loved to golf and once made a hole-in-one at Dungeness Golf Course. He was an avid reader and puzzle solver, doing Mensa challenges to keep himself sharp.
Capt. Aites was very service-minded and belonged to several local and national organizations including the BPOE (Elks), VFW (lifetime member), the California State Bar, the Naval Aviation Foundation, The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl (lifetime member), MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), the International Footprint Association and the Foundation for Coast Guard History (lifetime member). He was a longtime supporter of the Elks' Coats for Kids program, helping to supply coats and shoes to local residents in need.
DJ married Barbara Carel-Schilling on Jan. 15, 1971, in Traverse City, Mich. Together they lived in Traverse City, Clinton, Md., Clear Lake, Texas, and finally, Westminster, Calif. Barb preceded DJ in death in 1981.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Pearl Myers and brother-in-law, James A. Myers of Rouseville; his daughters, Laurie Rivers of Sequim, Wash., and Julie Williams and her husband, Doug, of Saugus, Calif.; his grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Zoe, Samantha and Clarice; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
In addition to his parents and wife, Barbara, he was preceded in death by his sons, Boyd and Eric; his sister, Mary and her husband, Norm Nuhfer; and his brother, Charles "Chuck" Aites and Chuck's wife, Virginia.
A memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 21, at the Sequim Elks Lodge, followed by his interment at Holyrood Cemetery in Edmonds on Saturday, Oct. 22.
DJ's memorial service was very well attended and both daughters, as well as many friends, shared stories and memories of this great man. The opening prayer was led by Capt. Tony Hahn of the Port Angeles station. He was paid honors during the service by the Elks, the Footprinters and the VFW. The Coast Guard provided an honor guard, flag folding ceremony and gun salute, and ended the memorial with "Taps" and a helicopter flyover.
Loved by his family and friends, an asset to his community and country, DJ will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Born March 15, 1938, in Oil City, DJ was the son of the late Charles and Mary Schreckengost Aites.
He graduated from Oil City High School in 1955, enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard soon after graduation.
He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 30 years, ending his military career as commanding officer of the Coast Guard base in Los Angeles, followed by service as the Coast Guard liaison to Hollywood. A Vietnam veteran, he co-authored "Operation Tight Reign, the Story of the Strategic Loran C Chain in Southeast Asia (1965-1966)."
He was highly decorated during his service and very proud of his military career accomplishments. He officially retired April 1, 1985.
DJ earned a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and a juris doctorate degree from the Southwestern University College of Law, completing both while he was full-time Coast Guard, husband and father. He was also a graduate of the NTSB Aircraft Accident Investigation School.
After retiring from the Coast Guard, he practiced law in California until moving to Sequim in 1988. DJ then obtained his brokers real estate license just for the challenge of it.
He loved to camp, hunt and fish on the West End, especially along the Hoh River. He owned a boat for salt water fishing and always enjoyed spending time on the water.
He also loved to golf and once made a hole-in-one at Dungeness Golf Course. He was an avid reader and puzzle solver, doing Mensa challenges to keep himself sharp.
Capt. Aites was very service-minded and belonged to several local and national organizations including the BPOE (Elks), VFW (lifetime member), the California State Bar, the Naval Aviation Foundation, The Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl (lifetime member), MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), the International Footprint Association and the Foundation for Coast Guard History (lifetime member). He was a longtime supporter of the Elks' Coats for Kids program, helping to supply coats and shoes to local residents in need.
DJ married Barbara Carel-Schilling on Jan. 15, 1971, in Traverse City, Mich. Together they lived in Traverse City, Clinton, Md., Clear Lake, Texas, and finally, Westminster, Calif. Barb preceded DJ in death in 1981.
He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Pearl Myers and brother-in-law, James A. Myers of Rouseville; his daughters, Laurie Rivers of Sequim, Wash., and Julie Williams and her husband, Doug, of Saugus, Calif.; his grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Zoe, Samantha and Clarice; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
In addition to his parents and wife, Barbara, he was preceded in death by his sons, Boyd and Eric; his sister, Mary and her husband, Norm Nuhfer; and his brother, Charles "Chuck" Aites and Chuck's wife, Virginia.
A memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 21, at the Sequim Elks Lodge, followed by his interment at Holyrood Cemetery in Edmonds on Saturday, Oct. 22.
DJ's memorial service was very well attended and both daughters, as well as many friends, shared stories and memories of this great man. The opening prayer was led by Capt. Tony Hahn of the Port Angeles station. He was paid honors during the service by the Elks, the Footprinters and the VFW. The Coast Guard provided an honor guard, flag folding ceremony and gun salute, and ended the memorial with "Taps" and a helicopter flyover.
Loved by his family and friends, an asset to his community and country, DJ will be greatly missed by all who knew him
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
