Donald Alva Doran

Donald Alva Doran passed away peacefully in Aurora, Colorado on November 1, 2023 at the age of 92. Don is survived by his son Michael, daughter Erin Doran Hice, daughter-in-law Lori Doran, son-in-law Randy Hice, and grandchildren Bobby, Alex, and Patrick Doran, and Sean and Colin Hice.

Don was born March 23, 1931 to Alva and Margaret Doran in Buffalo, New York. He attended Bowling Green University and, upon graduation, joined the United States Air Force where he served for 27 years.

While in the military, he fought in the Vietnam war where he earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with five Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, with one Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster,  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal as an A-1H Tactical Fighter pilot in Southeast Asia. Later in his career, he flew tracking flights in the Apollo Space Program in Satellite Beach, Florida.

After retiring from the Air Force, Don taught at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida and traveled the world with Peggy, his wife of 58 years. In addition to his love of travel, he enjoyed golf and gardening.

A Mass for Don will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Aurora, Colorado on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Vietnam Veterans of America or The Wounded Warrior Project:

https://vva.org/donate

or to the

 https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org