Donald Earle Akehurst

Donald Akehurst (Don) passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023 at the age of 94 years young. Don's family was at his side when he passed. Donald and his wife, Patricia, became members of the Beatitudes community in Phoenix, AZ in November, 2016 and loved the friendship and camaraderie they found during their residence there.

Don was born February 14, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, an only child of James and Sarah Akehurst. In Don's own words, he had a wonderful childhood and the best parents anyone could have. Don enlisted in the military after high school graduation in 1946. He served as a radio operator while stationed in Eritrea, Africa for 3 years. Don had a 52 year career of increasingly responsible sales and management positions while relocating throughout the United States. His career included 37 years with Goulds Pumps, 5 years of distributor sales and management, and 10 years as owner of ASCO … a company he founded during his many years living in Lubbock, Texas. Don also has a patent related to seals for agricultural irrigation wells.

Don married Marjorie Semrau in 1951, and then Patricia Heintz in 1978. He loved sports, reading, playing golf, and card games of all types, but he especially loved bridge.

Don is survived by his three children, Thomas (Debra) Akehurst of Sherrills Ford, NC; Kathryn (Paul) Reed of Forest Falls, CA; Judith (Lyle) Cherry of Phoenix, AZ; and stepson Roy Heintz (Rhonda) of Las Vegas, NV; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-children.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 17th, 2023 at the Beatitudes Campus Life Center, 1610 W. Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021