Don, son of the late Beatrice and Ralph Peterson, grew up in Dallas and attended South Oak Cliff High School.  He was a student in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 1966, the Corps of Cadets, and a member of the Ross Volunteers.  After obtaining a B.B.A. in business, he joined the Air Force and completed pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas.

Serving our Nation for 35 years, Don — call sign “Peteo” — flew a variety of aircraft (T-38, EC/KC-135, F-4, F-15 and F-111) and was a Vietnam combat veteran.  He was a Command Pilot with more than 4000 flight hours, including 597 combat hours. 

Don enjoyed commanding the 525 TFS squadron at Bitburg AFB, West Germany, and the wings both at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, and Randolph AFB, Texas, and led the Defense Command Operations Center at Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado.   He served in multiple headquarters positions at the Pentagon, including Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Plans and Operations, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel.

Don completed post-graduate work, including an MBA in Economics from Auburn University; Air Force Squadron Officer School; Air Command and Staff College; Air War College; the Executive Development Program at Carnegie-Mellon University; and the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, Harvard University.

Don received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

Much loved by those with whom he served, Don continued after retirement to advocate on behalf of the men and women of the Air Force as President of the Air Force Association for five years.

Don is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 51 years, Gayle, son Donald, and Kerry, and beloved grandchildren Elsa, Henry and Sydney.  Also by his side to the end was his sister Gail and John Colwick, and nephew Scott and Kate Strzinek (Molly and Jack).  He also is survived by brother Ralph (Pete) Peterson (Mark, David and Lori, their mother Francis, and families), sister-in-law Drs. Elaine and Larry Carver, nephew Mitch Weatherly (Nola and Eamonn and their mother, Rachael), and brother-in-law Rob and Ilona Spencer, Stephanie Spencer, and Michelle and John Reynolds (Meredith and Allison).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 8th at 2:00 p.m. at the Turrentine,-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.  A second service and his interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia will be held at a future date.

Don’s family gratefully gives thanks for the care and comfort given by the compassionate staffs at Villagio of McKinney Memory Care Facility and by Select Hospice.

Donations in Don’s honor may be made to the Alzheimers Association (alz.org), or to the Air Force Association’s Education Programs fund to provide scholarships, grants and awards to Airmen and their spouses for excellency in their fields.  To give online, visit www.afa.org/donate

—Select ‘Donate - One Time”

—Select ‘Education Programs’ and from drop down menu, select "Donation is in Memory of "

To give by check, indicate donation is in memory of Don, and is designated to Education Programs.  The mailing address is Air Force Association, Attn: Development, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209.