Donald Richard Sessions

Our Dad entered into the presence of the Lord on August 14, 2016. He is now in the loving arms of his wife Dona and daughter Christy. Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, he graduated from Mission High School, where he was an All-American football player and was granted a full football scholarship to USF. Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served 4 years during the Korean War and was assigned to a nose dock to perform maintenance of B 29 aircraft engines. After a brief employment with United Airlines as an aircraft mechanic, he found his way into law enforcement with the City of Santa Clara Police Department in February of 1958. He rose through the ranks and retired after 30 years of service with the rank of Captain and Detective Division Commander.

Don first learned to water ski as a very young boy when his father would take him on outings in the San Francisco bay. Water skiing and boating then became a major part of all family vacations. Don was also an avid tennis player, skilled craftsman in woodworking and automotive work. Youth sports were important to him. He coached Santa Clara Lions football and was one of the original Directors of PAL. Don always had a good book to read with a favorite author of James Michener. He loved any book that was historical in nature.

After retirement, Don and his wife Dona moved to Kona, Hawaii, where he lived until 2011.Don is survived by daughter Terry Lyons and husband Chuck Lyons of Santa Cruz, CA.; son Don Sessions Jr. and wife Yvette (Colunga) Sessions of Santa Clara, CA.; grandchildren, David Lyons and wife Laura (Dzida) Lyons of San Francisco, CA., Daniel Lyons of Santa Monica, CA.; Steven and Christopher Sessions of Santa Clara, CA.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Dona Sessions, daughter Christy Sessions, parents Helen and Joseph Sessions, step brothers Arnold and Phil Sessions and baby brother Gerald Sessions.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 1:00pm at Lima Family Santa Clara, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara. Following will be a celebration of Don’s life at Fiorillo’s Restaurant, 638 El Camino Real, Santa Clara from 2:30-5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.