Donald Edwin Currey passed away Aug. 5, after succumbing to a long illness.

Donald was born in Burns in 1934, the youngest of three siblings to Mildred and Judd Currey. While in high school, he became an accomplished pilot. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Delcy Wood, and joined the Air Force, raising to the rank of sergeant while performing his duties as a radio operator decoding enemy communications on the front lines in Korea. After his four-year enlistment, he went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in geology from Oregon State University while raising their children. Donald worked as a social worker until he received his master’s in social work from Fresno State University. Don became an accomplished director of welfare for various California counties, winning multiple awards and gaining professional admiration for his progressive ideas and methodologies, as well as enhancing the quality of life for foster children through his zealous advocacy.

Don was a selfless and devoted husband, father and grandfather whose innate intelligence, wit, humor and kindness will be greatly missed.

Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delcy; three of his four children, Rodney, Sheryl, and Rebecca; and five grandchildren, Skylar, Wendy, Jenna, Joseph and Jonathan.

He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen; and his two sisters, Verdalee and Jeanne.

At the time of his passing, Don Currey had been residing in Lake Havasu City for the last three years with his wife and daughter, Sheryl.