Obituary of Donald Landin

Don Landin passed into the loving arms of God on Thursday, November 3, 2011. His wife, Lee and faithful dog Rommy were at his side. Don was born on December 8, 1938 in Omaha, Nebraska to Marianne Pavel and was adopted by Carl Henry Landin. He grew up in Omaha, and following graduation from Omaha North High School, enlisted in the US Navy as a Seaman Recruit. Don retired after 25 years of distinguished service as a full Lieutenant through the chief warrant program. He was a "mustanger". Don served on seven destroyers in the Pacific Fleet specializing in electronics. He was initiated into the brotherhood of Shellbacks on his first crossing of the equator. Don served his county in Vietnam from 1970-1971, completing his career as an instructor at the Navel Amphibious School and Fleet Training Center in San Diego, California in 1982. His distinguished military decorations include: National Defense; Navy Good Conduct Medal with 2 bronze stars Battle E; Vietnamese Campaign Medal with banner; Vietnamese service medal with four bronze stars; Navy Meritorious Unit Citation and several other Vietnamese awards.Don worked at General Dynamics: Convair Division in San Diego for 10 years as a Senior Engineer on the Tomahawk Cruise Missile Program, where he met his wife Lee Evans. They married in 1989 and have lived in Meridian, Idaho since 1993. Lee was Don's soul mate and they had an extraordinary marriage of respect, courage and love.An accomplished woodworker, Don created many custom pieces of furniture for family and friends. Don was a member of Capital City Lodge #93, A.F & A.M. and was master of Meridian Lodge #47, A.F & A.M in the 1990's. He was raised to Master Mason in July of 1987 at Mission Bay Lodge #771, A.F & A.M and was master of that lodge in the 1980's.In 2001, Don joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Capital City Post #63 where he found his calling to support his comrades-in-arms. He dedicated himself to ensuring all veterans had a place to call home. He was commander of Post #63 for three years between 2004 and 2009. In 2010 he was elected to Sr. Vice Commander of the state of Idaho leadership team. Six months later he relinquished his position when he was diagnosed with Mesothelioma.He worked tirelessly in the Treasure Valley in raising awareness of issues facing veterans. His love of country was undeniable. His legacy of "gone but not forgotten" will live in all who knew him, worked beside him and shared his love of county, honor and duty. His family includes his wife, Lee Evans Landin of Meridian Idaho, brother Nick Landin and his wife, Faye of Tulsa, Oklahoma and sisters Carol Ervin of New Braunfels, Texas and Rosie Farrington Douthitt and her husband Don of Tempe, Arizona; daughter Vanessa Jerrell and her husband David of Ramona, California and their two grandchildren Jace and Abigayle, and daughter Valerie Long and Tom of San Diego, California. Condolences may be made at www.summersfuneral.com. Don's viewing will be at Summers Funeral Home at Ustick Chapel in Meridian on Wednesday, November 9th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. His celebration of life will be held at St. Michael's Cathedral at 2:00pm on Thursday, November 10th and Don will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please direct your gift to the Boise Rescue Mission - Veterans Ministries, www.boiserm.org , in memory of Donald W. Landin. "Fair Winds and Following Seas", my love ..