Donald "Colonel" Edwin Ensminger

Donald "Colonel" Ensminger, age 99 passed away on Monday May 11 , 2020 in Plano, Texas. Donald was born Sunday December 5, 1920 in Hagerstown, Maryland to Charles Emory and Lottie Mae Martin Ensminger.

Don grew up with his 3 siblings, Ralph Bryon Ensminger, Phyllis Lorraine Smith and Joyce Fawn Cosens. Don was born after Ralph and before Phyllis with Joyce being the baby of the family.

He grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland. Don graduated from Hagerstown High School class of 1939. He was close to the members of his graduating class and would travel to Hagerstown for the high school reunions including his last, the 70th reunion. He attended Newberry College South Carolina and graduated from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 1950.

Don served in the US Army Medical Service from July 20, 1942 to May 30, 1954, then transferred to the Retired Reserve on July 21, 1964 as a Lieutenant Colonel and retired after 20 years of service on December 5, 1980.

Donald "Colonel" Edwin Ensminger was a Hospital Administrator at Ocshner Foundation at New Orleans, Louisiana, He was also an Insurance Executive and Business Consultant for St. John's Fleeting Co.

Don was a lifelong member of the Lutheran faith.

He was also a member and officer in most of the clubs he was active in including: Lions Club, BOE (Elks), American Legion, Kiwanis club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW). He was an avid collector of stamps and miniature antique cars. He also spent many years researching the Ensminger family history.

Donald "Colonel" Edwin Ensminger was kind, generous, loved his family, enjoyed having good times with his friends and family. He kept in touch with many life long friends. He served in the Army and was proud of his accomplishments and again, made many friends that he stayed in touch with over the years. He loved to tell jokes and reminisce about his military career. His step-grandchildren remember him saying, "If your 5 minutes early you're late". The "Colonel" was always punctual. When anything involving the family happened, he came to Maryland, even though he lived in Louisiana or Texas. Family was important to him, even though they were miles away.

He married Elaine Pezold-Guillory, 1969 in Hagerstown, Maryland and later Martha Cox-Johnson, 1996 in Reserve, Louisiana. He had three step-children when he married Martha.

He is survived by Step daughters Beverly Jacob and husband Touie, Becky Rojas and husband Eric, and stepson, Ronald Johnson and wife Gail, sister-in-law Rita Ensminger, several nieces and nephews, and special friend Wilma Oliver.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lottie and Charles Ensminger, brother Ralph, sisters Phyllis and Joyce. Wives, Elaine Pezold-Guillory and Martha Cox-Johnson.

The "Colonel" will be greatly missed but not forgotten as Son, Husband, Stepfather, Uncle and friend.

Interment will take place at DFW National Cemetery on a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Ensminger family.