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All,
It is with a heavy heart, Donald Edward Schrade passed away sometime yesterday morning, 09/10/2017. While this has been a very emotional time, we are trying to stay positive about the passing. Don had made many jokes throughout the years of wanting to “go fast”… a flying reference. He was referring to the barn scene at the end of the movie "Second Hand Lions." While he did not pass away in a airplane, he did go peacefully in his sleep.
We wanted to get this information out to everyone as soon as possible.
There will be a viewing on Thursday 9/14/17 from 6pm - 8pm
H.D. Oliver Funeral - Chesapeake Chapel
1416 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 548-2200
The funeral will take place on Friday 9/15/2017 at noon
Apostles Lutheran Church
370 Johnstown Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: 757-547-4692
Fax: 757-436-7556
office@apostles-lutheran.org
The burial will take place on Friday 9/15/2017 at 2pm
Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery
5310 Milners Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 272-2283
Please keep the family in your prayers, as this sudden loss has hit the family hard. Family and friends are taking this one day at a time. We can not extend enough thanks and praise to those of you who have extended your prayers and sympathy during this time of sorrow. We did our best to reach everyone on this email, however, please feel free to forward this to anyone that knew Don.
Thanks,
Schrade Family
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Rick Franks
I have known Don for over 58 years. He has always been an inspiration to me with his military career and his fine character. We were in Boy Scouts together in New Rome, Ohio many years back. I am shocked at this sudden death of a good friend. I am glad that he was able to attend the 50th class reunion recently in Columbus, Ohio. My condolences to the family and friends.
David Ridenour
Don was one of my good friends in High School and we both attended The Ohio State University together. He enrolled in Navy ROTC and I enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program so we exchanged salutes on many occasions. Don served for a full flying carrier and retired as a senior Navy officer. I thank him for the service to us and to his country. He will be missed by his classmates. I am glad that my wife, Joette, and I were able to spend one additional night with Don and his wife, among friends, at the 50th Reunion. Our thoughts are with the family.
Monte Rhoden
Wow! What a shock! Don looked so good at Otie's Restaurant the day before the reunion. He and I along with others were laughing our heads off about the plane trip I took from Miami, Florida, that Don had piloted. Sure am glad I had a chance to spend a liitle more time with such a good hearted, fun loving and great guy!
Terry Smith
At our 10 year reunion I told him about my working at the Ohio Air Guard (on Active Duty), and he called me a couple of times to say he was coming in to Rickenbacker. I would set up a parking spot in the secure area for visiting military aircraft, marshall him in, chock the wheels, ground the aircraft while he went through his shut down checklist. Then drive him to OPS all the while talking like true classmates shooting the breeze.
Did you know he was an F-18 Hornet Squadron Commander at Top Gun.
I do not know how appropriate it may be to reference a song from the late 60's but this one comes to mind for Don. "Spirit in the Sky"
Since I can't attend the services I will picture in my mind the passing of a great American Aviator and a flight of F-18 Hornets passing over the site performing the "Missing Man Formation" while Taps is heard in the distance.
I will greatly miss my classmate, fellow aviator, and good friend.
Cathy Wittmann Kohen (Zippay)
I am completely shocked and saddened by Don's death, whom I have known since we were 3 or 4 years old, shared great times at parties at his house, drove together to OSU our freshman year, attended his change of command in New Orlando while he was in the Navy. Last emails between us were his checking on my safety in S. Florida as Irma approached as a Cat 5 hurricane and my letting him know I had safely evacuated to Raleigh, NC. last Thursday. I will cherish the time we spent together on the Friday and Saturday night of our 50th Reunion, and seeing him again Sunday as I was checking out the house I grew up in and he his. Don will be so greatly missed by so many, me included.
Linda Hester (Lodwick Brown)
So shocked to hear of Don's sudden passing. So glad we were able to connect at the recent reunion. Condolences to his family. He was one of the good ones!
Dennis Hooper
I'm still in shock over Don's untimely death. He was a true role model. Even though I only had senior year at Pleasant View, Don sticks in my memory as one of those friends who made me feel welcome. I will miss his wonderful smile which drew you into Don's life and made you feel "at home." I know he is at home with the Lord. He was closer while flying, but now he's at His side. May perpetual light shine on his soul. My love to you friend. Till we meet again . . . .
Mike Neely
Shocked by the news. He seemed to be great at the reunion. Glad that I got to see/talk to him there. Condolences to the family. It reminds us that our time is an unknown and take advantage ot the time we have.
Dan Meeks
I am surprised and saddened by Don's passing. I didn't have much contact with him after high school but I still remember his smile. He was a good guy. His family are in my prayers.Martha Belek (Phelps)
I am so shocked and grieved at the news of Don Schrade's death. Only Margaret's sudden death two years ago was more unexpected to me. I've known Don since the fifth grade and he was one of the most positive people I've ever known. He was cheerful, happy, never complained, was kind, and just plain fun to be around - from the self-proclaimed "Farmers" during pep rallies to the wild and hilarious discussions we had during junior and senior English classes with Brenda Smith and Joy Rose. He was self-effacing and truly interested in others. It was wonderful to see him at our class reunions, especially this last one. I enjoyed talking to him about his career and retirement at American. At previous reunions, he sought out my husband, Weldon, to talk to (a FedEx pilot). Even this year he asked, "Where's Weldon? I wanted to talk airplanes with him!" It was obvious Don was a reflection of his deep faith in God. That should give us all great comfort in knowing he is at peace with the Lord. I will remember Sandy and his precious family in my prayers. May the Lord bless them with comfort in the days ahead and bring them many happy memories of Don. Take care of yourselves, dear friends. ❤️✝❤️