Don Lee Latimer

Age 95, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2013. Don was born to Perry Lee and Fannie Tilger Latimer near Leonard, (Fannin County) Texas. He married Betty Jane Shamel in Kansas City, MO in 1942. She preceded him in death in 1993. He married Elsie Davidson in 1994. She preceded him in death in 2011. He is survived by his daughters, Carole A. Latimer Smith of Saint Paul, MN, Donna J. Latimer Marovish and husband Vic of Sierra Madre, CA, David Wayne Smith and wife Denise of Albuquerque, Jacqueline Marovish Ranocha and husband Roman of Hingham, MA, Monica Marovish Axelrode and husband Dr. Eric Axelrode of Moraga, CA, Meghan Smith Knapp and husband Robert of Hastings, MN, and Jack Smith III and wife Alesia of Burnsville, MN, great grandchildren; Dori, Sierra, Sicily, Ryan, Emma, Libby, Mila, Jean-Luc, Leah Latimer, Abagayle, and Jack IV. He is also survived by his sister Virginia Long of Euless, TX, six nephews, five nieces and many cousins and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Dana Earwood and Melba Hinkle. He was a graduate of Trenton High School, TX in 1935, went to Fort Worth and attended business college. He enlisted in the U S Army on February 14, 1941 in the 36th Texas Infantry Division where he served in the 36th Reconnaissance Troop until he was honorably discharged on July 4, 1945. He made combat amphibious landings at Salerno, Italy and St. Raphael, France, was awarded the Bronze Star as well as battle stars for the battles of Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Anzio, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central European campaigns. Following the war he went to work for the FAA Air Traffic Control Service and worked for 33 years in Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Ardmore, OK, Albuquerque and the last 8 years as Chief Controller of the Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center. Upon retirement he was honored with the "Distinguished Career Service Award" by the FAA Administrator. He and Betty returned to Albuquerque in 1979. Don was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, a lifetime Master Mason of over 60 years, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, a member of the Ballut Abyad Shrine Patrol and a member of the Royal Order of the Jesters, Court 24. He was also a 25 year member of the Albuquerque Knife and Fork Club having served as director, secretary, president and Executive Director as well as a director of the Knife and Fork Club International. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to La Mesa Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 7401 Copper NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 or the Ballut Abyad Shrine Children's Transportation Fund, 6600 Zuni SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. A memorial service will be Friday, November 22, 2013, 10:00 AM at La Mesa Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at 1:00 PM, Friday at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 924 Menaul Blvd NE.