Donald H. Wells, 84, devoted husband, committed father, aviator, outdoorsman, gold miner, amateur magician, and consummate tinkerer, passed away peacefully on Oct. 28th, 2023, at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart, Florida.

He is survived by Anita, his loving wife of sixty years; children, Doug (and wife, Paru), Jeff (and wife, Kate, and children Tesla and Phoebe), and Curt (and wife Sarah); his sisters Lois Boyd and Susan Moggio along with their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother Roger.

Don was born in Venice, Illinois to parents Charles and Gertrude Wells. He graduated from Venice High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University before joining the Navy, attending officer training school and earning his wings.

Don will be remembered as an accomplished aviator, flying A-1 Skyraiders off aircraft carriers during his three tours in Viet Nam (he is rumored to be the last prop pilot qualified on that aircraft), performing in airshows as a member of the Air Barons in the Navy Reserve, and finally as a commercial pilot for American Airlines until his retirement in 1998.   During retirement, Don was never sedate and spent time hunting, fishing, and scuba diving in Florida, prospecting in the Yukon and traveling the world with Anita to see all the wonders it had to offer.  Don always had a tale to tell of his adventures – such as being launched by a catapult off a carrier, saving a fallen rider from her horse during a July 4th parade, or digging up gold & battling a bear in the Yukon.

The family will be holding a ceremony of remembrance and celebration of his life at Forest Hills Chapel in Palm City, Florida on November 2, 2023, at 12:30 PM and he will be laid to rest in the Forest Hills cemetery immediately afterwards, per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Treasure Coast Hospice.

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