Pontotoc Co., OK - Obits: Donald Edward Sines ********************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Rita Floyd USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************** Obituaries from the Ada Evening News, Pontotoc Co., OK. Date of editions are given at beginning of each section. -------------------------------------------------------- Ada Evening News Paid Obituaries -------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, August 6, 2003 DONALD SINES Donald Edward Sines died of a heart attack Easter Sunday, 20 APR 2003 at his home in Rio Rancho, N.M., where he had lived since 1977. He was born 15 FEB 1922; at Canaan, W.V., son of Lloyd Edward Sines and Emma Caroline Smith. Attended grade schools in Goshen and Clarksburg, W.V., and high school in Geneva, OH. Joined the U.S. Navy on 15 April 1941, advancing from Apprentice Seaman to Aviation Chief Machinist Mate in three years; was serving aboard the USS Lexington in the Coral Sea on 08 MAY 1942, when it was torpedoed by the Japanese and the ship was abandoned shortly after 5:00 p.m. Along with over 2,000 others, Don spent several hours in the Sea's waters before being rescued by the Yorktown. Don completed six years of Naval service in April 1947 as Chief E7. Thereafter, he worked for Western Elec. Corp before being employed in 1950 by Chance Vought A/C Co. at Dallas, TX. In JULY 1952, he transferred to Field Ser. Dept. and, for the next 31 years, traveled throughout the world aboard A/C carriers and otherwise, providing technical service and assistance to Navy and Marine Corps operational sqds and aviation activities. During such time, he submitted ideas for different, unique, and unusual techniques, for many of which the company received patents. After 33 years, he retired from then Ling-Temco- Vought in NOV 1983, and was employed by the Navy serving for the next 10 years as Asst. Maint. Officer of the Aviation Dept. of Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, from which he retired in FEB 1993. He was an avid reader and writer; his hobbies were mineralogy, prospecting and silver smithing. In 1966-68 while at China Lake Naval Air Facility, CA, he was an active member of the Lions Club in Ridgecrest, CA. In 19681971, while Sr. Rep at Patuxent Naval Air Test Station, MD, he received his real estate license in St. Mary's Co, MD., During his 1971-77 tour at Atsugi Naval Facility, Japan he became a 32-degree Mason of the Sagamihara Masonic; Lodge 13, F&AM; he was also a Shriner. At the time of his death, he was a member of VFW Post 5890, Rio Rancho, N.M. As his wife states: He was such an energetic and vibrant person who was ready to help friends and family, civic concerns, etc., in any possible way. As a census taker and volunteer participant in civic matters, he assisted in establishing Rio Rancho as a city when it reached a population growth of 10,000. Of his family still living are one brother, Jerome Sines of Florida, and one sister, Vesta Miller of Ohio, 4 nieces and 2 nephews. In AUG 1947, he and Geneal Horton of Ada, OK were married in Jacksonville, FL, where he was assigned to Cecil Field Naval Air Station. They had nearly 46 years of travels back/forth across the U.S., Hawaii, Japan and throughout the Far East. They had no children. Don's extended family through Geneal are Melvina and Thurman Wright or Roff, OK, their daughter J'Neena Swinney and family of Plano, TX; and Rodney and Barbara Horton and family of Ft. Worth, TX. Memorial services were held on 04 MAY 2003 in the Gospel Light Baptist Church, Rio Rancho. A contingent of the VFW Post participated in the service. Don's former boss at NWEF KAFB, CMDR Thomas Mumford, presented a poignant eulogy, recounting his memories of Don over the many years of their association, beginning in the early 1950s in Albuquerque. Rev. Brent Lenentine followed with his offering of kind thoughts, counsel and encouragement. Cremation was entrusted to Sunrise Funeral Options, Albuquerque.