Donald A. Vouklizas

After a courageous battle with stomach cancer, Donald Achilles Vouklizas, passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2015 in Arlington, Texas at the age of 82. Don was born in Watertown, New York on May 11, 1932 to Greek immigrants Menas and Helen Vouklizas. He graduated from high school in Batavia, New York and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He then attended collge at the University of Buffalo studying accounting and worked as a cost accountat. The CAA, now known as the Federal Aviation Admistration then hired Don as a Air Traffic Controller. While attending the FAA Academy for this position in Oklahoma, he met the love of his life, Carolyn Garner. After completion of the Academy, he started his career as a controller at Boston Center. Don and Carolyn were married shortly after in 1958. Don finished his career at Fort Worth Center where he was most proud of a computer program he wrote enabling controllers to receive emergency airport information quickly and version of this is still use today. He coached his son's little league basketball and baseball teams for many years while also supporting his children's competitive speed skating activities driving them across the country for skating competitions where they won numerous National Championships. In retirement after nearly 30 years of government service, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren often providing babysitting for his working children and loved to travel with his wife. They enjoyed numerous cruises, trips to Greece, casino trips, and anywhere with a beautiful beach. One memorable vacation was a family trip to Hawaii. Don encouraged his daughter Helen to follow in his career as an Air Traffic Controller recently retiring after 33 years. Don also supported his son Michael with advice in a succssful roller skating equipment business that later enabled him to open Skate Town in Grapevine. His son Donnie is the General Manager of Arlington Skatium, the largest roller skating facility in Texas.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Eva Vouklizas, Diana Donnely, and Athena Kustas.Donald is survived by his wife of 57 years Carolyn, daughter Helen Pierson, and son-in-law Mark Pierson of Southlake, Texas, son Donnie Vouklizas, fiancé Gillian Howard-Christ of Keller, Texas, daughter Annette Hockenberger of Buffalo, New York, son Mike Vouklizas, wife Kathy of Southlake. Grandchildren; Marissa Mahon, Kelly Vouklizas, Kyle Vouklizas, Megan Pierson, all of Southlake, Texas, Donyel Hockenberger and Jennifer Brown of Buffalo, New York. Great-Grandson, Jaxon Mahon and numerous nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.