Donald Arthur Itzen

Donald Arthur Itzen, 85, passed away from natural causes at home on Sept 25, 2017. Don was born in Herman Minnesota on July 31, 1932. The 2nd youngest of 11 children, he grew up on a farm and even delayed a year of high school to help his father seed, plow and harvest the crops.

He attended Hope College in Michigan and boxed in Golden Glove competitions for 2 years before joining the United States Air Force. During cadet training at Harlingen AFB in Texas, he fell in love with Texas and Peggy Daniel Pryor, a beautiful, brainy local gal. They married in 1960. A husband and proud father of son Houston and daughter Dallas, Don spent 25 years serving his country as a navigator bombardier and navigation teacher/trainer, retiring at Bergstrom AFB in Austin in 1978.

A patriot, he flew several different planes including B-52s, B-58s, F-111s and RF-4s. During his service, he was stationed all over the country including Harlingen, TX, Tucson, AZ, Bunker Hill, IN, Plattsburgh, NY, Fort Worth, TX, Sumter, SC and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after his final assignment at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin. Toward the end of his Air Force career, he went back to college, earning his BBA at St. Edwards to pursue his passion of the stock market and investing. After a few years of working for the large investment firms, he partnered with his friend Jim Kaighin and Mark Wright to start their own brokerage, Choice Investments, Inc. in 1984.

Over the next 30 years the firm grew from five to over thirty professionals. Though he loved his work, he retired in 2014 shortly before Peggy passed away.

He was a hard worker, eternal optimist, helpful neighbor and fierce patriot. He loved his family, his job, his dogs and country music. His favorite slogans were, "The future is very bright," "Keep on truckin'" "Good Doggers!" and "God Bless America." He was deeply loved by many and is survived by his son Houston and his wife Michelle and their kids, Don's granddaughter's, Abby and Samantha (who knew him as Papa) as well as his daughter Dallas and her partner Rick Redondo. He is also survived by his brother John Itzen. He had 43 nieces and nephews on his side of the family, many of whom he talked with frequently.

The viewing will be held at Cook Walden Funeral Home on North Lamar from 5-7p Wednesday Oct. 4. The service will be Thursday, Oct 5 at 9a in the Large Chapel. He will be given a military burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at 2p, resting with his wife Peggy. Contributions can be made in Don's name to the Humane Society of Austin.

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