Obituary of Donald R. Wiedman

Donald Wiedman, 85, peacefully made his final takeoff from this Earth on March 1,, 2015 and ascended with full afterburner to the heavens for a final time. Don was born on February 24, 1930 in El Reno, OK and grew up in the middle of the GÇ£Great Dust BowlGÇ¥. After migrating west, his family settled in Oroville, CA. till the age of seventeen when he entered military service. Joining the Air Force as an enlisted private in 1947, Don climbed the ranks, went to aviation flight school in 1955 and received an officerGÇÖs commission. During his 20 year career, Don flew high performance jet fighters defending his country during the Cold War. Retiring in 1967 after a distinguished career, Don moved his family to Florida and began working as a Pad Safety contractor for the USAF. Retiring again in 1991 after another 24 years serving his countryGÇÖs space program, he lived a quiet life on Cocoa Beach near his family and close friend [Irene]. A loving and devoted father and grandfather [Poppy], his family includes his son, Don Jr [Carla] Viera FL; daughter, Lori Parker [Ken] Sorrento, FL; grandchildren, Dalton and Darion; sister Betty Sickles, Oroville, CA; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Wuesthoff Hospice and the staff of Palm Cottages in Rockledge for their caring help and prayers during this most difficult time.No local services are planned. A full military internment at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia will be held at a later date.