Mostly Cloudy, 60° F
(Aug. 22, 2007)
Major Donald R. Roney (U.S. Army Ret.) died Aug 22, 2007, in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he resided for the past 45 years. He was 83.
He was born Aug 28, 1923, to Ernest A. Roney and Martha (Hoie) Roney in Powell.
Don’s military career began on Dec 17, 1941, when he and four others enlisted in the U.S. Army during their senior year in high school following the attack on Pearl Harbor. After training he spent 2 1/2 years in Australia and New Guinea and was seriously wounded in combat action on Dec 27, 1942 during the Papua Campaign in New Guinea. Upon returning to the U.S., he was discharged and subsequently attended the University of Wyoming and the University of Denver, graduating in 1950 with a BS degree in Business Administration.
In 1951, Don was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corp of the U.S. Army. He spent the next 15 years on various assignments at Ft Lee, Va.; Frankfurt, Germany; Denver; Mannheim, Germany; and Ft Carson, Colo., where he retired with the rank of Major on Sept. 1, 1967. Don received numerous military awards and medals, notably the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious action in ground operations against the enemy during the Papua Campaign, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Other awards included the Asia Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the WWII Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army of Occupation (Germany) Medal.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Dolores, who was by his side to the end. They were married Aug 21, 1946, in Casper. Also surviving are his son Robert and daughter-in-law Pamela, Federal Way, Wash.; his son Richard and daughter-in-law Jana, Seattle, Wash; his daughter Marie and son-in-law Victor Carter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and his son Patrick and daughter -in-law Linda, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and two grandchildren, Kitt Roney and Nash Roney of Scottsdale.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Ann Kallas.
Don, Dolores and family lived on Crown Ridge Drive for many years before moving to Village at Skyline after the children left home. The couple enjoyed worldwide travel following Don’s retirement, as well as social and tailgate events with local friends. By far, however, his greatest interest was in watching his family grow and mature and Don was their most ardent supporter. Don was active in community affairs his entire life, assisting in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Silver Key, and volunteer work at the Ft. Carson Hospital. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a charter member of VFW Post 5054, a member of the Military Officers Association of America, and a past member of BPOE Lodge 309.
A graveside committal service with full military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9 at the Ft Logan National Cemetery near Denver.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
