Don Allen Mauzy

Don Allen Mauzy, Sr. passed away on May 31, 2021, Memorial Day, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on June 12, 1947 in Cherry Grove, West Virginia. True to his nature, he put up a hell of a fight against cancer to be around for his family as long as he could. But that’s enough about how he passed, the important part is how he lived.

He came from very humble beginnings being raised on a mountainside farm with an outhouse and rarely had more than the clothes on his back. He was an only child but recalled some good memories with cousins and a loving grandmother. During his childhood he saw how living in fear could hold someone back from experiencing a good life. He vowed to never live that way. He graduated in the top 34 of his high school class (albeit there were only 34 graduates). Then, at seventeen, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he became a meter reader for a utility company.

At eighteen he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Despite having three exemptions that would allow him to avoid fighting in combat, he volunteered to serve in the 1st Cavalry Division, Garyowen Brigade as an Infantryman on the frontlines in Vietnam. As a Specialist 4 he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and often carried the radio for his Platoon. In addition to the standard gear, the radio equipment added over 20 pounds to his load. An impressive feat for a kid from the sticks who was too ‘scrawny’ to play football in high school.

Though a very humble man, Don would share stories of his service with family and close friends. He shared that one of his worst experiences was a particular firefight that occurred in the middle of the day and caused him to miss lunch. The man loved his food.

Don never forgot friends he lost on the field of battle. He knew that life was a gift and lived it to the fullest. He did not covet money, titles, or material possessions but valued family and the time you gift each other. He returned from Vietnam after being shot and earning a Purple Heart. He spent a year in-and-out of surgeries, casts, and military hospitals. He was told he would never walk without a cane, so naturally he decided to take up running, biking, and working out. When questioned later how he was able to stop the pain so that he could exercise he responded that he just kept running until it stopped hurting, which ‘only’ took a couple of years.

With his hopes of being a Homicide Detective in Washington, D.C. dashed by his wounds, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and attended Shepherd College (now Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV) where he was a McMurran Scholar, the highest academic honor granted by the college. What does a 6’3”, 220 pound exercise buff major in? Accounting of course, complete with pocket protector.

While at Shepherd College Don hit the jackpot and met the love of his life, Mary. Once he confirmed Mary was an excellent cook they were married in 1974 after they graduated from college. Don and Mary moved to Maryland where they had four children that they adored...even though all four children served time as teenagers. Don cherished the amazing wife, mother, partner, and friend Mary was and deeply admired her selflessness and devotion to family.

Don earned his Certified Public Accountant designation while the children were young so that he could provide well for his family, and it was the only way he could have a room in the house to himself while he ‘studied.’ He passed the exam in his first try which was probably one of his only regrets in life as he lost his ability to sneak away to a quiet room to ’study.' He worked for the U.S. Government for over 30 years, retiring as a civilian Deputy Comptroller for the U.S. Navy at the Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, MD.

Family was always Don’s top priority. Providing a comfortable home, food, and possessions, but more importantly, time together. Camping, picnics, slurpees, fishing, hiking, riding bikes, playing ball, vacations, sitting on the screened porch listening to rain, helping with ‘old school’ math, sports, holidays, work picnics/events, family meals...all the simple moments in life were special. Don was driven to ensure his family, and extended family, knew they were loved. Don was a man of few words, and those he did utter carried meaning for those around him.

He led by example to illustrate his core values. One thing he imprinted on his family was the importance of following the rules...except for the few days of every school year when he would skip work and pull his children out of school to take his family to amusement parks when the lines were shorter because all the other children were at school. Some rules were flexible if they interfered with your ability to “eat, sleep, and exercise,” or required waiting in traffic or lines.

Don was most proud of raising children that were devoted to family, and could take care of themselves and each other. He was proud of their personal and professional successes. Don loved his grandchildren and shared the same moments with them that he did with his children. All of his children and grandchildren saw Don as their hero. He was the man they all went to when they needed strength, reliability, a dose of reality, and when anything tough or unpleasant needed to get done...which usually involved hearing a string of cuss words when the problem solving didn’t go as planned. These episodes provided great entertainment for his loved ones.

His family could not be more proud of him and they take peace knowing he believed when it was his time to go God would take him, and that he would see us all again one day in Heaven. He leaves us with his motto “may God and the force be with you.”

Since energy can neither be created nor destroyed, his family has no doubt that his energy will continue through his loved ones. He passes along his deep love, compassion, realism, work ethic, self respect, drive to overcome fears, and how to stand-up for what you believe even if you’re standing alone. Unfortunately he also leaves in his wake some talentless singing and messy eating.

Don was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Mauzy Selmon, stepfather Otis Selmon, and Uncle Ralph Mauzy. He is survived by his loving wife (and chef) of over 47 years, Mary Welsh Mauzy; his adoring children and their families, Don Allen Mauzy, Jr, his wife Jocelyn, and sons Hunter and Austin; Melanie Mauzy Neystel, her husband Sergio, and children Ava and John; Kerry Mauzy, and son Tyrell; and Emily Mauzy, and daughter Mariah, as well as several cousins.

His ashes will be laid to rest with military honors at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (Dallas, TX) with some ashes to be carried by his loved ones on new adventures while he watches over them all.