1-08-2000

Donald Ralph Tichy

Services for Donald Ralph Tichy were held on Tuesday, January 11, 2000 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Pineville, Louisiana.  Burial immediately followed in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Tichy, 57, of Pineville, died Saturday, January 8, 2000,  in Pineville.  He was an Army Veteran.  Survivors include his daughter, Jennifer Patterson of Newton, Iowa and his mother, Arlene Fitzpatrick of Pineville.

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the hills, from the sky,

All is well, safely rest,

Safely rest,

All is well.

Fading light

Dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky,

Gleaming bright

From afar, drawing nigh,

Falls the night

Dear one, rest!

A letter from Don's Mother, Arlene A. Fitzpatrick

Dear Linda,

Lynette came to see me today and brought your sympathy card.  I've enclosed Don's Funeral Memorial card.  The picture was from his driver's license renewal, taken 3 days before he died.  I got a flag at his funeral because he was a U.S. Army Veteran.  Also I got a certificate with a gold seal on it from U.S. government, in honor of his Army Service and signed by President Clinton.  But it was sure a shock when he died and Lynette really misses him too.

I don't know if you knew about my younger son.  He went to high school in Marshalltown.  He enlisted in the army just before he graduated.  He got called up before his graduation, but got his diploma.  Afer his 3 years of service, he went back to work overseas for a while.  Then quit and worked in L.A.  He was in the National Guard for 20 years.  Anyway, he died 4 years ago on Mother's day. (Agent Orange) So I am alone now.  Both boys gone and widowed.

Anyway one of Don's friends lives a half block from me and has adopted me as his mom.  His folks are both gone.  He checks on me everyday and takes me on what errands I have to tend to.  So I am very lucky.  I am 80 years old and don't drive any more. 

I was with Don when he was at Marshalltown for his reunion.  The Tichys in Marshalltown are relation.

I graduated in 1937 from Marshalltown and have attended 2 of my class reunions.  I have good memories of Marshalltown.

Thanks for writing to Lynette and then she passed it on to me.

Arlene A. Fitzpatrick - Pineville, LA