Donald D. Shanks

Donald D. Shanks, a resident of Sedona, AZ, was born on January 24, 1920 in Fox, Arkansas. After 95 years of living an active and inspiring life, he passed away on June 29, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ. He spent most of his early years growing up near Flagstaff where his father was the supervisor for the Doney Park Ranger District of the US Forest Service. He attended school in Flagstaff and graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1938. He held a variety of jobs including playing music in various clubs, trapping for sheep camps and working for the Forest Service. He learned to be a welder and was working as a welder in the Bremmer Shipyards when World War II broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and flew many missions in Italy, Africa, and France as a flight maintenance gunner on the A-20 Attack Bomber in the 27th Bombardment Group. At some point, the Army discovered that he had a flair for languages and sent him forward to learn the language and make contacts where the unit was planning to go. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. After returning from Europe, he married his beloved Anna Marie Reinhart in Buffalo, NY. He was on his way to the Pacific when the war ended. He returned to Buffalo and used his GI Bill benefits to learn tool and die making. When his second child was born with respiratory problems, he and the family moved back to Flagstaff. He went to work for the Flagstaff Police Department and held various part time jobs with the Forest Service. He also served as a volunteer fireman. Eventually, he was offered a position as instrument maker at Lowell Observatory where he worked until his retirement in 1988. Among his many jobs there, he built their first photometer and at the time of his retirement, had built more photometers than anyone else in the world. He was always amazed at the experiences he had and the amount of history he lived through. Don was a family man who said he didn\u0027t need much money because he had a million dollars worth of wife and kids to come home to. As a family, the Shanks\u0027 built their own garage and workshop, loved to spend time in the forests, took many hunting, fishing and camping trips, learned to use guns safely, and were active in Cub Scouts. Don was also an outstanding outdoor cook who was often invited on hunting trips so he could be the cook. After his retirement, he spent most of his years caring for his ailing wife and son. In 2005, he moved to Sedona where he spent his remaining years. Donald is survived by his daughter Janet (William) Fish, sons Gerald (Merry Carol) and Leonard (Janice), grandchildren Gerry (Lisa) Shanks, Donna (Dennis) Betz, Kristie (Chris) Peruch, Donnie (Terra) Shanks, Scott Shanks, William (Jennifer) Fish, and 8 great grandchildren including his namesake born 2 weeks ago. He is also survived by his sister Mina Thompson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Anna Marie, son Daniel, parents Lewis Leonard and Jean (Coffin) Shanks, and a sister Avis Bennett. Memorial Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 700 Bill Grey Rd., Cottonwood, AZ on July 10 at 10:00 AM with inurnment to follow in All Souls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com