Donald Elliott Brauckmiller, age 68, left us to claim his reward on July 20, 2013 at the VA CLC in Reno. He was born to Donald L. and Roberta L. Brauckmiller

Donald Elliott Brauckmiller

Donald Elliott Brauckmiller

Donald Elliott Brauckmiller, age 68, left us to claim his reward on July 20, 2013 at the VA CLC in Reno. He was born to Donald L. and Roberta L. Brauckmiller on January 1, 1945 in Portland, Ore. He was raised by his dad and stepmother, Dorothy, at whose knee he learned the values that made him the man he became.

On March 19, 1962, Don joined the U.S. Navy where he worked as an ABH for three years. He applied for air control school, was accepted and went to AC ‘A’ school at which he excelled. Later, in his Naval career he would earn his 3rd, 2nd and 1st class petty officer status at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. He worked as an air traffic controller for 13 years before transferring to the Mater-at-Arms rating. While stationed at Dallas Naval Air Station, performing duties at the Naval Absentee Collection Unit, he took the Chief’s test and was promoted to MAC the first time he took the test.

He served three tours on aircraft carriers off the coast of Viet Nam as an air traffic control operator, earning him the Viet Nam Service Medal among others. His last duty station, before retirement was in Okinawa, Japan where he was the ‘Top Cop; for CFAO/NAFK (Command Fleet Activities Okinawa/Naval Air Facility Kadena) on Kadena Air Force base. He retired at Whidbey Island, Wash. On June 30, 1989.

He truly loved serving this country and being in the Navy. He served a total of 25 ½ years. He met and married BJ Crandall on March 15, 1964 while stationed aboard the U.S.S. Orkskany CVA 34 in San Diego. They were introduced by mutual friends.

He enjoyed playing golf (at one time he carried a 4 handicap); throwing competitive electronic darts where his team won the national championship in their division.

But he believed his greatest achievement was raising two sons that never gave us any problems while they were growing up; working with senior citizens at Care & Share; and his work at VFW Post 2313 where he was the Canteen Manager for 2 ½ years and Post Commander where he was recognized as an “All American Commander”  before resigning a month early after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

He succumbed ten weeks later from cardiopulmonary arrest.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years: BJ Brauckmiller; 2 sons: Donald A. of Hawthorne and Craig E. and his wife, Denise of Shirley, Mass.; One granddaughter Katherine (Katybug) of Shirley, Mass.; one sister Kathleen (Greg) Olson of Gresham, Ore. and his extended family consisting of one uncle: Wilbur Brauckmiller of Oregon; numerous cousins living in Oregon; two sisters-in-law: Gail Turnham of Fallon, Barbara (Arthur) Andregg of Hawthorne; two brothers-in-law: Matthew Crandall of Fallon and Walden Crandall of Fallon; a cousin Ladonna (Dennis) Espinoza of Fallon and as he called them, “his two baby girls” Lyndie (Mike) Perkinson of Sanger, Calif. and Diedre (Reggie) Randolph on Manteca, Calif. and his friends and comrades at the VFW.

He will be interred at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, NV on Monday, Sept. 23 at one p.m. with a reception and luncheon following at VFW Post 1002, located at 405 S. Maine St., Fallon, NV.

Officiating at the religious service for family and friends on Sept. 22 at the Pentecostal Church of God Indian Mission, 900 Paiute Dr., Fallon at 6 p.m. will be Walden Crandall, with a reception following the service.

Officiating  at the military service on Sept. 23 will be John Stroud, VFW Sr. Commander in Charge; assisted by: Dennis Espinoza, Sr. Vice; Gary Amunson, Jr. Vice; Ron Wilson, Officer of the Day and Jay Goodrich, Chaplain.

Services under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Fallon.

The above is a synopsis of a life well lived; mistakes made and lessons learned. So until we meet again, rest in peace sweetheart. You did good and will be missed.