Obituary: Donald (Don) Horace Boardman

Oct. 18, 1933 - Nov. 4, 2013

Donald (Don) Horace Boardman passed away at home on November 4, 2013 after a battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. He was born on October 18, 1933 in Carson City, Nevada to his parents, Edgar and Helen Boardman, at their family home, which was next-door to present-day Adele’s Restaurant on Carson Street. Don was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Schulz and both his parents. He is survived by his wife, Betty and son, Michael of Carson City; daughter, Julene (David) Wagner of Oakland, CA; granddaughter, Alicia Boardman; step-granddaughter, Katarina Wagner; grandsons, Caleb and Nathan Wagner; great granddaughter, Carissa Rose Boardman, who would bring a smile to his face up the very end; brother, Ralph (Jane) Boardman of Camarillo, CA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Don graduated from Carson High School in 1951; he was the president of his graduating class. After graduation, he moved to Glendale, CA to attend engineering school. While attending school, he worked in a gas station, where a few movie stars would come through. After graduating, he worked for McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft. During his time at McDonnell-Douglas, he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan after Basic Training. Don served from 1954-1956 and was honorably discharged after his service as a Corporal. He was asked to continue in the service and to attend officer’s school, but wanted to get back to his civilian life. He continued working for McDonnell-Douglas after the service. During this time, he was sent to Maryland, where he lived on the Patuxent River and enjoyed sailing on a homemade sailboat that he and his friends made. He then returned to Southern California, but eventually decided to move back to Carson in 1961. In that same year, he started working at the Highway Department in Design; most of the jobs he worked on were in the Las Vegas area. He retired as a Senior Highway Engineer in 1993.

He met and married his wife, Betty, while both were working at the Highway Department. Their first date was October 28, 1967, and they were married January 27, 1968 at the First Presbyterian Church of Carson City. That same year in 1968, he was Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge No. 2177. Don loved his family. He enjoyed waterskiing, fishing, camping, hiking, and spending time with his loved ones. He especially enjoyed building model airplanes from scratch and going out on the flat past Dayton to fly them. His romance with his planes began when he was very young.

With Don’s passing, a hole has been left in our hearts, but knowing that he is whole & healthy again in the presence of our Lord brings comfort to the ones that are left behind. We love you, Don, now and forever until we meet again in our final home with God our Father.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Carson City on November 16th at 10:00 am, with the burial immediately following at Lone Mountain Cemetery. A reception will follow after the burial back at First Presbyterian Church.