Donald Ray Ellermann

May 11, 1945 - August 15, 2025

Donald Ray Ellermann, born in St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025. He cherished memories of time with the loving aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Baisch and Miller families while living in Kirkwood, MO. The deep connection with family and being raised in the Lutheran church shaped his early years.

As a young man, Don met and married Caroline Goff, beginning a love story that would span 56 years. Don loved his military years. He spent 10 years as an officer with an RA commission, serving between the Army and Army National Guard. He served in Vietnam and left the army as a major. He loved to share stories of the Army’s Airborne Ranger School when he was the "coldest he had ever been." Throughout his life, he had a passion for history and trivia, particularly enjoying military books and documentaries, as well as watching M.A.S.H.

An education was a priority in Don's life and for his family. He earned both an Electrical Engineering degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona. After a short period of private practice, he was hired by Hughes Aircraft, which later became Raytheon. After 25 years he retired as Vice President and General Counsel for Raytheon Missile Company. While retired, he developed a passion for ham radio and became certified to teach high school math and physics. After a period of teaching he returned to Hawaii with Caroline, who had taken a job as a nursing professor there. Someone had to be available to dive with friends!

Don and Caroline raised three children: Todd (Kristin) Ellermann, Jenna Wilson, and Trevor Ellermann. As an adventurous father, Don taught his children to love all the activities he was passionate about - scuba diving, kayaking, snow and water skiing, boating, fishing, scouting, 4-H, hiking, camping the old fashion way, and being a cowboy and riding. More than any of those hobbies, he loved his family. His grandest joy became spending time with his grandchildren: Jenna’s daughter Lena, and Todd and Kristin’s children Trinity, Kira, and Zenzi. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Viola and Herbert Ellermann and his sister Janice Reesing. He is survived by his wife Caroline, stepmother Kay Ellermann, brother Larry (Pat) Ellermann, and brother-in-law Glenn Reesing, his children, and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many friends and his family.