SALISBURY - Donald Gary Washburn died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Granville Washburn and Thelma Washburn.
A highly decorated Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army, he served two tours in Vietnam in the 1097th Heavy Boat Unit. He also served in the 2/7 Marines, 1st Marine Division in the latter days of the Korean War as a member of the mortar team. Upon his retirement, he worked as a security officer across several states, before retiring from Spence Protective Agency. He started the Chapter 624 of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Salisbury, was a past commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 34 and a member of the VFW 194. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, as well as the Catholic War Veterans of America. He participated in many Rolling Thunder Rallies in Washington, D.C.
He is survived by his daughter, Donna; his son, Ralph; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a longtime friend, Kim Vallejo.
A Life Well Celebrated Graveside Service was held Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. Arrangements are in the care of Bounds Funeral Home in Salisbury.