More detail on this person: Donald Masuo Sayrizi passed away on May 29, 2016 at his home in Portland, Oregon. He was born in Kingsburg, California on October 16, 1941 to George and Sue Sayrizi. Don grew up in Los Angeles, California and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles in 1959. After high school, he attended Los Angeles City College and the Art Institute; then worked as a draftsman for the City of Los Angeles. He was drafted into the army in 1967 and trained as a helicopter pilot. Don was assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Division and served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 at the height of the war. He flew search and rescue missions, medivac and provided aerial gun and helicopter support. For his combat service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor, the Bronze Star for meritorius service and the Air Medal for 1000+ combat hours. Following his distinguished military career, he went into city planning and became the Facilities and Planning Director at Los Angeles Airport until his retirement in 2000. Donald continued to pursue his life-long passion for "junk" collecting and realized his dream of having his own store when he and his wife opened "SlikSTUF Antiques" in Portland, Oregon. Don is survived by his wife, Diane Morishita Sayrizi of Portland, Oregon; his two daughters, Jennifer Sayrizi of Los Angeles, Cheryl Sayrizi Wong of Arcadia and his son-in-law, Ron Wong; and his four grandchildren, Derek, Averi and Lance Wong and Sophia Lara.
This information was last updated 06/05/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association