Donald was born June 17, 1936 in Bonesteel, South Dakota to Perry and Milda Mulford. On October 4, 1936, Donald was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfax, South Dakota. Donald attended school at Bonesteel Public Schools until the family moved in the fall of 1946 to Norfolk, Nebraska. The family would again move to Spencer, Nebraska in the spring of 1947. Donald was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spencer, Nebraska in 1951. He was a graduate of the Spencer High School class of 1954 graduating on May 20 of that year. Donald would go on to attend Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.
Donald enlisted in the US Air Force in August of 1956 and served as an Instrument Technician working on B-52's. Donald was honorably discharged in August 1962 after obtaining the rank of Staff Sargent. On December 30, 1961, Donald married Jackie Frailey and together they started their family. Donald went to work for AT&T as a telecommunications technician in the winter of 1962 at a radio relay station in North Bend, Nebraska. He would later transfer to Kansas City, Missouri in May of 1968 to join AT&T’s computer department serving in several capacities during his computer career as a programmer, operations supervisor, systems designer, and programming manager. Donald retired from AT&T in December 1989. Donald graduated from Ottawa University’s adult education program in May 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management. Donald was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kansas City, Missouri serving on numerous boards and committees. Donald was an avid and loyal Kansas City Chief's and Kansas City Royal's fan and his greatest joy was his ability to watch both teams win World Championship's.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sheryl Mulford.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jackie; his daughters, Willetta (Jon) Kerley, Beverly (Dave) Thorpe, and Pamela (Nick) Lomonte; his brothers, Keith and James (Debbie) Mulford; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; and numerous family and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested for two programs through the Holy Cross Lutheran Church: the Discretionary Fund or the Orphan Grain Train, memorials may be sent to 2003 NE Englewood Rd., Kansas City, Missouri 64118, please specify which program funds are to support.
