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Colonel Don Emmons A brave and patriotic SR 71 RSO has passed away. Our deepest sympathies to his family. Don was a B-52 bombardier, during the Vietnam war, then he was selected for the SR 71 program. He remained in the SR 71 program for over 22 years.  His nickname was “the Snake” Although I never met him personally,I know what kind of man he was. Men like Don are rare, he had the tolerance, endurance and the capabilities to deal with the ending of the SR 71 program in 1989. He personally had to deal with the wreckage of the 974 when it crashed near the Philippines. When the SR 71 program was reactivated he was put in charge of that, along with Barry MacKean. His pilot was is the well-known Rich Graham, author of many wonderful books. Don had the unenviable task mothballing the SR 71 program. Only a very tolerant man could handle breaking down the program that he built up. Let us all take a moment out of our day to reflect and remember Don Emmons. >
Written by Linda Sheffield Miller
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Paul Burney
I will miss you my friend. From neighbors on Grant St in grade school to life long friends. Fly straight and high and may you alwys have your smile and laugh. Paul
Kenneth Marshall MD
I have fond memories of Donald in some of my classes at Ray, especially our physics class with Mr. Ferguson. Ferguson had nicknames for every student, and Donald's was "Fremont" after the bug in the Pogo cartoon, because Donald generally agreed with Mr. Ferguson, just like Fremont always answered "Jes fine" in the comic strip. Jep Hill was "Professor Hill" and Raymond Haas, "Mr. Rabbit" (I believe Haas means rabbit in Dutch.)
Donald had a wonderful sense of humor, and I have only seen him at class reunions, but I really enjoyed those conversations. I only learned about his Air Force career not long ago, and I can't imagine piloting the "Blackbird." I have seen the one at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum near Dulles airport. It is a huge and scary--to me--aircraft! It seems to be all engines and fuel with a couple of seats in front.
Kenneth Marshall ("Mr. Marshmallow" in Physics class.)
Pearson Knolle
Beth and I are very sorry to learn of Don's untimely passing. Our deepest sympathies to his wife, Nancy, sons Brent and Blaine and their families. For more details of his very interesting and successful life go back to his last post. What he did after retirement' as a Colonel in the USAF, as a volunteer for both local and national organizations was outstanding. He put all his education and military training to good use. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.
You served your country and fellow man well, Don.
Pearson
Jack Beckman
I DID NOT KNOW DON EMMONS BUT I WISH I HAD..
Jeff Gaddis
During our high school yesrs I lived next door to Don. He was as hurmous then as he was in his golden years, never saw him without a big grin acriss his face. The world lost a good man so RIP Don and thank you for your enormous contributions to the USA and the remainder of the world!
Larry Maltz
I remember Don from our Ray days; however, I wish I had been more aware of his couragous and honorable lifetime devotion to our country. A rare person indeed. So proud of the fact that Don added so much to America's freedom and the world. Of course words will never be enough, just knowing is more than can be said. May Don's memory always have tail winds and clear vision of what it take to make our good ole USA a world power for freedom and democracy.