Donald Eugene Stranahan, 83, of Northampton PA entered into Christ’s Eternal Victory November 17, 2017 12:28 p.m. His loving wife Rosemarie Kamper Stranahan was at his side. They have been joined in holy matrimony since December 4, 1956. His family also surrounded him in peace at Moravian Hall Square’s Galilee House, Nazareth PA.
Donald was born in Cadiz OH the son of the late Lyle and Elizabeth Gnagy Stranahan. As a young boy his family moved to Spartansburg PA were he was schooled and graduated from Sparta Merged High School 1953. In 1954 he attended 1-year at Penn State. Donald then moved on to honorably serve his country and pursued a life-long career as Pilot of many aircraft. 1955-1994 USAF Major, Retired. Active Duty Service 1955-1966: Aviation Cadet Program 1955; Multi-engine B-25 Pilot Program Graduate 1956; Vietnam Veteran 1964-1965, Detachment 6, 38th Air Rescue Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base where he flew 396 Combat Missions with Kaman H43B Helicopter; He was awarded The Airman’s Medal for Heroism April 27, 1965, and was awarded 13-times The Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight. Back in the U.S. 1965-1966 he was Helicopter Detachment Commander at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. Donald served from 1966 to 1985 Retired Reserve. From 1966 to 1989 he flew for Eastern Airlines Captain, Retired, and during this time also served in the New York Air National Guard 1968-1976. Donald culminated his career as one of the ten EAL Captains who co-owned and started their own airline of which he flew from 1992 to 1999 Kiwi International Air Lines Captain, Retired.
In addition to his wife, surviving are: son Donald Eugene Stranahan II with wife Sheila and children Cullen Lyell and Shaelea Marie of Northampton; daughter Jeannie Marie with husband Anthony Dimitrios Mitsos of Northampton; daughter Tracy Elissa with husband Kim Allen Buskirk and sons Mason Allen and Chapman Kim of Kunkletown; daughter Megan Corinne Stranahan of Nazareth; his brothers, Roger Wiley Stranahan of Spartansburg and William Lyle Stranahan of Munhall, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to St. Matthew’s U.C.C., 102 Church Road, Kunkletown, PA 18058.
A celebration of his life and love will be held Monday, December 4th, 6:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s U.C.C. in Kunkletown, officiated by the Rev. Suzanne Brooks-Cope. A Committal with Military Honors will take place on Saturday, December 9th, 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, Spartansburg, PA 16434.
To leave online condolences please visit www.PennsylvaniaCremationServices.com.
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Roxann and Ron
Tracy and Kim,
I didn’t really know your father but I know you Tracy and he must have been an amazing man to have added such a beautiful person to not just his family but ours. we are so sorry for your loss but know you have so many wonderful memories. Peace to you and all your family. Love lives on forever.
love and prayers
Tracy Buskirk
Dear Roxann and Ron,
Thank you for your love and prayers and peace extended to my Mom and family. My father was an extraordinary man, loved so much by all of us, and that love for him will live on in our hearts forever.
Peace to you and yours,
The Stranahan Family
tony giordano
I only knew Don in his retirement. I knew him as a kind and decent man. A good man. He was so soft spoken but every time he spoke, I learned something. Often, just common sense simple things that somehow had escaped me. I missed him dearly these last few years, I had grown accustomed to his visits during his long walks up and down Church Road. The world has lost a good man and I have lost a good friend.
Tracy Buskirk
Dear Tony,
Your condolence means so much to the Family. Thank you for sharing your memory of his visits with you while going for his walks, which he so loved to do.
Peace to you and yours,
The Stranahan Family
Cynthia Michael
Many memories.
I retired from 106th at westhampton, 2007
Thinking of you all.
Tracy Buskirk
Dear Cynthia,
Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts.
Peace to you,
The Stranahan Family
Colleen Michael
So very saddened to learn of the passing of this great man. A large part of my childhood and a man my Dad held in high regard. I hope they meet in Heaven. My sincere condolences to the family
Tracy Buskirk
Dear Colleen,
Thank you for your condolences to the family and for sharing your memory of growing up knowing Don as a dear friend of your father, of whom we all held in high regard as well. All my children remember many memories of your family, and how each of them referred to your parents as “Uncle” and “Aunt”.
Peace be with you and yours.
Rosemarie and Family
Bob willoughby
Rest in peace. Was HH 43 former crew member. DOC
Tracy Buskirk
Dear Bob,
Thank you for your condolence, as well as your service. The family would love to hear more about your service and if you knew and/or served with Don and his crew.
Peace to you,
Rosemarie Stranahan and Family
Allen Hahn
I didn’t know Donald as contemporary, but I am good friends with his brother, Roger and his wife, Deborah. Reading Donald’s obituary, I am totally in awe at his extraordinary accomplishments and would like to thank his family for the contributions and sacrifices he made serving our great country. I wish that I had known him and extend my and my wife, Diana’s, deepest condolences to the wonderful and quite incredible family of Stranahans. Rest in peace, Don.
Tracy Buskirk
Dear Allan and Diana,
Thank you for the kind words and condolences to our family. Don was a wonderful man and we miss him dearly. I do believe I recall Roger and Deb speaking of you in the past and it was so nice that you have reached out to us at this time of our loss.
Peace be yours,
Rosemarie Stranahan and Family