Donald Lee Boudreaux, Sr.

Donald Lee Boudreaux, Sr. Major USMC (Ret.), of Austin, Texas passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012. Born to Desmond Thomas and Edra Rose Boudreaux in Staunton Illinois in 1922, he graduated from Fairview HS in 1940 and by 1942 was in the Marine Corps training as a naval aviator. For the next 23 years he served his country with pride, flying F4U Corsairs, fixed-wing transports, and helicopters. During his service he also worked in intelligence and in weapons development. His skill, determination, and bravery earned him, among other citations, the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1965 he retired from the service, moved to Washington, D.C. and entered civilian life. For the next 17 years he worked in industry, eventually becoming the vice president of an independent insurance agency. Upon his second retirement he continued to live in the Washington, D.C. area until 1989 when he moved to Austin, Texas to live near his son and his family. Having gone from Major to Mr., he shortly had to make another transition - from Mr. to Grandpa. In the years that followed he was a constant source of support and encouragement.

He is survived by a daughter, a son and daughter-in-law that will sorely miss him, and two grandchildren that love him dearly. He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the Clairmont Retirement Community for their friendship, the Grace House staff for their support and kindness, and St. David's North Austin Medical Center for their compassionate care.