Donald Newkirk

With profound gratitude for the riches of a full life Donald Sloan Newkirk moved onward in the next eternal journey. Just two months shy of his 97th birthday he passed away on February 17th, 2024. 

   He was born at home in Indianapolis, Indiana to Col. Arthur Clay Newkirk, USA and (Tersea) Jane Newkirk (McCann).  Upon graduating from Broad Ripple High School in 1945 he enlisted in the Navy serving active duty in WWII. At one point Don and his father were both stationed in the California Bay Area. 

    Following the war, he attended Rose Poly College but left to accompany his mother to be with his dad on a posting to Guam. They all returned stateside to Fort Benning Georgia. He continued his college at Auburn University graduating with a degree in Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Nu.

   It was in Gorgia that he met Virgina Marshall a neighbor who also lived on base. He was stuck by the beauty of the young woman, and they dated. After leaving the area to join GE (General Electric Company) in New York. He couldn’t get her out of his mind, and they were married on November 24th, 1951.They moved with GE to Florida in 1952.

     He and Virginia bought an original home in the Audubon Park subdivision of Orlando. They raised their two daughters, Nancy Newkirk and Susan Covington into adulthood supporting them in school, Girl Scouts, church, dance and baton twirling activities. Don was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason ascending to sublime degree Master Mason in 1972.He was a member of the Eola Lodge 207 for over 50 years. The family supported his Bahia Shrine activities fondly remembering the annual circus as well.

Don was proud to serve as founding member on the Board of Directors of McCoy Federal Credit Union. Donald and Virgina had a special city proclamation recognizing their 50th wedding anniversary. Virgina was at his side for 56 years until they were parted by death.              

   Professionally, Donald continued with General Electric as an engineer and regional salesman traveling throughout the state of Florida. He designed the lighting inside the fountain at Lake Eola. He worked for Pan American with aerospace contracts commuting daily between home and the Cape for two years. During this time, he also studied for his professional license exams for Florida and Alabama in professional engineering which were awarded in 1967. 

     An opportunity for government employment came. He worked at McCoy Air Force Base where he rose to Chief Engineer. Don transferred to Department of Defense Contract Administration where he was recognized for his expertise in Value Engineering awards in 1983. Upon retirement in 1996, he had twenty-eight years of loyal service. 

   His military service continued when he was commissioned as a LTJG in the reserves in 1962, rising to LT, USNR 1973. In addition to drill weekends, He loved his two-week ACDUTRA.              

   Donald’s family grew beyond his daughter’s Nancy and Susan to include son in law Ken Sautter, Donald Spencer and Tim Covington. Grandchildren, Steven Sautter, James Covington, Elizabeth Sautter -Pandol, Laura Dautzenberg. He has Great grandsons Xander Pandol, Leo Pandol and granddaughter Aelyn Datzenberg grandnephew Markus Mead.