Donald "Don" Stuart Atkinson
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Don's obituary
Donald Stuart Atkinson, a resident of Irving, TX, passed away on December 20th, 2023, at the age of 87, surrounded by his family. Born on June 27th, 1936, in Louisville, KY, the first son of Mildred Ruth and Stuart Maxillian Atkinson, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Don was predeceased by his cherished wife, Jean, who was the devoted mother of his children: Robert (Sue), Laura (Cathy), James (Kim), and John (Pam). He leaves behind a lasting legacy through his ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Don and Jean raised their children in Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by his brother Douglas Atkinson (Joan) of Louisville, KY.
After the passing of Jean, Don remarried to Rasma Atkinson, and relocated to the Las Colinas Cottonwood Valley neighborhood of Irving, TX where they lived and were active members of the community for over 33 years. Rasma passed away in 2021 after a courageous battle with bladder cancer further deepening the family's sense of loss.
Don graduated from Male High School in Louisville, KY where he was inducted in the Male High School Hall of Fame for his performance in track & field. He continued his education at the University of Louisville where he graduated with High Honors in 1957 and was a proud member of the track team and the Navy ROTC program.
His service in the Navy was marked by distinction, serving as a Shipboard Naval officer and later as an Instructor & Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy within the US Atlantic Fleet from 1957 to 1959 and at the United States Naval Academy from 1959 to 1961.
Post-service, Don embarked on a very successful career in computing, initially at IBM, and later as the owner of his own M&A firm, focusing on the financial technology industry.
Don’s love for fitness led him to become an avid runner, completing marathons in Boston, New York, and numerous others. He maintained a disciplined routine, faithfully working out at the Las Colinas Sports Club five days a week.
Don had a huge soft spot for animals, particularly his beloved cats - Dr. Pepper, Missy, and Lola and nine others that predeceased him. His compassionate nature extended to all creatures great and small.
He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his service to his country, his professional accomplishments, his commitment to fitness, and his love of animals.
No formal funeral service will be held at this time but a celebration of Don’s life will be scheduled in the upcoming months.
Donald Stuart Atkinson's big presence will be deeply missed but will forever remain in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of strength and generosity will endure for generations to come.
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