Bill and I met them (his first wife) at Edwards when Bill went there in 1966. I have met Sparky a couple of times, but didn’t know her too well. What a great person Donn was; I had a lot of respect for him. It’s all so sad.

Jane

Jeannette

Donn was a relatively private man except when he had an audience and a microphone in front of one of our symposiums. Then he became animated, had a broad smile, and told the story of the sensor suite with accuracy and vigor. I’ve seen him go from audience member to loud presenter within 10 seconds! He would answer all questions, some from pilots, RSOs, and other program members. He loved it.

Sparks is his life long partner and accompanied him around the country. She is always warm and has a wonderful way with painting with watercolors. There was no complaining, just enjoying it all. What a fine team.

We shall always remember the good times.

Don

BYRNES, COL. DONN A. (RET.)
1931 – 2012 Donn Byrnes left us to be with the Lord on Monday, January 23, 2012. The eldest son of Gen. Victor Byrnes, M.D. and Ethel Seebach, he embraced early the joy of learning and understanding how things worked. Fascinated with airplanes and flight, Donn joined the Air Force at 19 and became a pilot. He later graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Electrical Engineering and enjoyed a challenging career as an aeronautical engineer and technical program manager. Donn found life incredibly interesting and devoured “how to” books on any topic that transformed one thing into another. He taught himself to weld, cast jewelry and machine with a lathe. He designed and fabricated a one man submarine, a boat, water skis, computers, a glider, and a house (with his second wife, Sparks), just to name a few projects. He loved putting together cars, trucks and motorcycles that were terribly fun to drive but not particularly safe. Everything and anything could be (and should be) transformed into something new. Junk yards, pawn shops, a welder and a shop provided the makings for New Things. He also loved photography and developing his own photographs, reloading his own bullets, locksmithing, surveying and repairing anything that was broken. After retiring, he took a correspondence course in writing. At 68, he published Blackbird Rising – Birth of an Aviation Legend, a book about the SR-71. At 76, he published Air Superiority Blue – The F-15 Story and at 79, his autobiography, A Boy Who Loved Airplanes. He loved hearing other people’s stories, interviewing people on various topics and was at work on a mystery novel. He would have loved Storage Wars and Dirty Money but he didn’t have much time for TV. The cancer took him quickly – so quickly he missed his first appointment with the oncologist. He passed away peacefully and pain free surrounded by loved ones. And he would want you to know, he was grateful for you and your friendship. Donn is survived by his wife, Sylvia “Sparks” Byrnes; his four daughters and their spouses, Kathleen and Dan Johns, Kim and Barry Syra, Connie and Mark Knauss and Karen Allen; step-children and their spouses, Phyllis and Claude Tarbell, Peggy and Bob Robey, and Arthur Tennyson; his step-brother, Frank Presson and wife, Jackie; and, of course, everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. Please join us to celebrate Donn’s life on Monday, January 30, 2012, 10:00 a.m., at French-Lomas Chapel., with visitation one hour prior to the service from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

BILL D. CHOATE

We regret having to inform you of the final flight of Bill D. Choate of Palmdale, California.

Bill was born on a farm in west Texas and moved to Phoenix at the age of 10. He enlisted in the Army for 18 months in October 1945 and spent a year on Okinawa. Choate was discharged in March 1947. He re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1948 and retired from the Air Force in 1969 after a four-year tour at Area 51 with the 1129th SAS during Project OXCART and and Operation BLACK SHIELD.

Bill Choate entered the United States Army in October 1945 with basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas. After basic training he was assigned to the 623rd AC&W Squadron in Okinawa as an aircraft mechanic. From there he transferred in 1948 to McChord AFB, Washington where he worked in supply.

From July 1949 to February 1952, he served with the 78th Air Bus Group at Hamilton Field, California. In 1952, he transferred to the 44th Fighter Bomber Group at Clark AFB, Philippines.

From 1954 to May 1958, he was assigned to the 5th Bomber Wing at Travis AFB where he was the NCOIC Flyaway Kit.

In June 1958 he assumed the job of Supply Liaison at Chateauroux AB, France. From Chateauroux, He was re-assigned back to Travis AFB in June 1961. In September 1965 he returned to Travis AFB as a supply specialist. Choate spent three months on Okinawa in 1966 and again in 1968 on the CIA’s Operation Black Shield. In January 1969 he retired from the Air Force and moved to Palmdale, California where he worked for Lockheed on the L-1011 until mid 1975. Opened a Gunsmith shop in 1975 (Choate’s Rifle Shop). Sold out in 1983 and left the State of California for a return to Arizona. 1985 Opened another gun shop on the Mongollan Rim and retired in Oct 1997. At that time, he wrote two books, “From Time to Time” and then “Don’t roll over”

Steven has a son, Steven, and two daughters. Other survivors in his immediate family are his wife, Donna, sisters Ruth and Gene, and a half-brother Daniel. Services will be private.