Donald Lee Newell

Unionville, Missouri Farm Boy grows up to be a Meritorious Air Force F-4 Fighter Pilot and Pilot Instructor. Born March 29, 1942, Don succumbed to pneumonia on July 24, 2025. With over 4000 flying hours, his eleven Medals/Commendations include: Meritorious Service Medal ( while assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, rescuing a woman from a burning car) and Air Medal with twelve Oak Leaf Clusters. After his flying career, Don transitioned to a Government Contractor, Senior-Air-to-Air Combat Analyst for Red Flag, directly preparing fighter pilots for future World Conflicts. In 2025 based on his career heroics, Don was chosen for a ‘Honor Flight’ to Washington, D.C. While, his feats of accomplishments have been many, his love for the town of Unionville has never diminished and remained a humble man.

Don is the son of the late Roy and Amber Newell, brother of the late William Newell and sister Grace Lupton. He is survived by Wife Dee Newell and daughter Milinda Kuechler.

A visitation for Donald will be held Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Mortuary - Downtown, 1325 North Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101. A funeral service will occur Friday, August 8, 2025 from 10:40 AM to 11:20 AM at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Mem, Boulder City, NV 89005.