Donald Leroy Trone

Our loving father, Donald "Don" Trone, passed away at the age of 78 on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was born in Durango, CO on January 23, 1937 to Grace Mosty Trone and Ralph Trone. He was the oldest child of four siblings: Shirley, Kenneth and Richard. He grew up on a farm with his family. He was always taking things apart and putting them back together. The farm is where he learned how to fix everything under the sun and how to shoot guns.

Don attended Durango High School and graduated in 1955. He joined the U.S. Navy on July 28 of the same year; his ship was the USS Columbus (CA74). This decision would change his life forever. He enjoyed his Navy adventure, made lifelong friends, and learned many trades. After the Navy, Don came back to Durango in 1959 and that is where he met the love of his life, Harriet Ann Jessing. They were married on July 2, 1960 at Saint Columba Catholic Church in Durango. They had three wonderful children: Robert, Donna, and Charlotte.

Don received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Fort Lewis College in Durango in 1965. He received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces in 1970. Don and Harriet moved to Albuquerque in January of 1970. He was employed at Sears, NMSU, EG&G and in 1977 he decided to start his own engineering company, Miletus Associates, Inc. Miletus was his passion and because of his Navy training, it paved a very successful career as President/Owner. Don was a great boss to his many long time employees. He allowed them to be creative and gave them room for advancement.

Don lost his beloved Harriet in January 2002 after 41 years of marriage. He turned to Hypnosis to help his broken heart. He became certified and helped many people.

Don was a brilliant man who knew about many, many subjects. He was extremely talented and loved to carve and build furniture. He did beautiful work which was admired by and presented to family and friends. Don was a member of two carving clubs. He enjoyed reading palms and always had a crowd around him at family reunions, airline flights, and parties. He was also a very funny man. He could recite joke after joke. His sense of humor was a wonderful part of his personality.

Don's other passion was banjos. He handcrafted many banjos; some he kept and some went to other musicians. He played his banjos and was always learning new songs with the help of his banjo club. He thoroughly enjoyed the banjo sounds of Bluegrass music. He also enjoyed target shooting with his guns, including guns owned by his grandfather and father. Don retired from Miletus in 2009 and was kept busy with his many hobbies. These include restoring his red 1955 Ford F100 truck, and riding in his 1964 � convertible Mustang and WWII Harley Davidson motorcycle with a sidecar.

In 2015 Don moved from his home of 24 years to the Montebello Senior Living Community where he enjoyed his conversations with staff and residents -- always making them laugh.

Don is survived by his children: Robert "Bob" Trone; Donna Trone Vigil and husband Ronald Vigil; and Charlotte Trone and husband Donnie Cole. He was a grandfather to Ethan Vigil and Jadyn Cole. They stole his heart when they were born. He is also survived by his siblings: Shirley Trone Self and husband James of Indian Hills, CO; Kenneth Trone and wife Pam of Grizzly Flats, CA; and Richard Trone of Albuquerque, NM; his brother-in-law Richard Jessing and wife Ruth of Highlands Ranch, CO. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law George Whitworth. He is also survived by close family Eliu and Helen Vigil and Donn and Judy Cole; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

His children extend their heartfelt appreciation to all involved with Don's recent care including Dr. Gwenn Robinson MD, Dr. John Salazar DDS, the entire staff at Montebello, and the staff at Klarus Home Care.

Friends may visit Tuesday, January 19, 2016 starting at 5:00 p.m.; a Rosary will follow the visitation at 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Wyoming. Services will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Don was an amazing man with a very generous and kind soul.
He will be missed by many.