Donald Dean Hooley

Donald Dean Hooley, 81, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born March 16, 1940 to the late Vera (Troyer) and Francis Hooley. Donald grew up on a farm near Topeka, IN and was a graduate of Ligonier High School. He served in the Army in Panama, where he learned to fly, beginning a lifelong career as a pilot. While in Panama, he flew his first solo flight from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean and back again. Under the GI Bill, he graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK, and was immediately hired as a flight instructor in Charlottesville, VA. He joined the Ethyl Corporation where he flew a Lockheed Jetstar, a four engine jet, at age 26. In 1968, he joined the Ford Motor Company air transportation department and began a 32 year career. With Ford, Don traveled to five continents, flying the Ford family and its executives, to all corners of the world. He was licensed to fly numerous aircraft, from the Aeronca Champ to the Gulfstream V, but his all-time favorite was the single engine Cessna 172. It was during his years at Ford that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Barrie”, who was working as a flight attendant. They were happily married for 39 years. After retirement, he and Barrie divided their time between Lake Wawasee and Amelia Island, FL. Don spent the happiest moments behind the wheel of his red 1955 Thunderbird convertible. Don will be honored posthumously by the FAA with the Wright Brother’s Award. He is survived by his wife, Barrie; sons, Donald Dean II (Jackie), Los Angeles and Darryl Scott Hooley, Ann Arbor; brother, Sanford (Charlene) Hooley; sister, Sharon (Glenn) Herschberger; and three grandchildren, Lainie Hooley, Tyler Hooley, and Kayla Smith. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dawn Renee Smith. Thank you to Northwoods Village Memory Care and Heartland Hospice for their unfailing, loving attention. In the front of all of Don’s log books was written, “The sky is a vast place, but there is no room for error.” A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 203 E. Main St., Syracuse, IN 46567.