Colonel Donald M. Majors

Published 7:52 am Friday, August 3, 2018

February 27, 1936 – July 30, 2018

Colonel Donald M. Majors, age 82, headed west on July 30, 2018, with his loving wife by his side. He was born in Kelso, WA, on February 27, 1936, to Elmer and Lavelle Majors, After graduating from the University of Washington he went into US Air Force pilot training. During his almost 30 year career he flew F-100s, F-4s, A-10s and his beloved F-105 of which he flew over 100 missions in Vietnam and received the Silver Star, multiple distinguished flying crosses and air medals.

His first Air Force assignment was in Itasuke AB, Japan, where he met and married his wife, Marcia Royce Majors, for 56 years. He is also survived by 3 sons, James (wife, Karen) of Andover, Minnesota; Roderick (wife, Kimberly) of Lake Stevens, WA; Matthew (partner, Max) of Portland, OR; 4 grandchildren, Mick, Michelle, Jake, and Josh; his brother, Al (wife, Joanne); and many cousins.

He felt fortunate to serve his country for almost 30 years and enjoyed having overseas tours in Japan, Spain, Germany and England. Among his favorite jobs was Commander of the 12th tactical fighter squadron in Okinawa, Japan, and especially of being Director of Flying Operations of 3rd Air Force at RAF Mildenhall and Base Commander of RAF Chicksands where he retired in 1987.

After the Air Force he flew business jets for Gulf Stream as a demo pilot. He had a most memorable 4 month position in India where he trained 3 Indian pilots for Grasim Industries LCD.

The last 19 years he lived in Bend after spending the previous 10 years vacationing here to ski. All sons, wives, partners, and grandkids frequented the Majors Resort where 3 generations skied together and enjoyed the central Oregon outdoor activities.

Services will be held Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 2:00 pm, at Bend United Methodist Church, 680 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to the Summit Medical Group Foundation www.smg-foundation.org, to support care, comfort and compassion cancer programs at Summit Medical Group BMC.