More detail on this person: Donald Enselek, 75, of Forney, Texas, passed away on July 10, 2020, in Dallas, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Lillian Enselek, and his in-laws, George and Aline Kelley. Don is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Patricia Enselek, two daughters-Amy Frey & husband Stuart, Jennifer Madden & husband Robert, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings-Barbara Enselek, Thomas Enselek & wife Linda, Louis Enselek & wife Donna, Phyllis McEneany & husband Bob, Linda Tilden & husband Bruce, Peter Enselek & fiancée Tawnya Harris, and his brother-in-law Mike Kelley & wife Brenda, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Don was born in 1945 in Northampton, Massachusetts, and was the third of seven children born to Louis and Lillian Enselek. He grew up working in the family business, playing sports, fishing, serving in the church, playing musical instruments, and rifle shooting. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1967 where he was the captain of the rifle team and club president. After graduating from college, Don entered the United States Army and became a helicopter pilot. It was while attending flight school in Texas that he met his wife, Patricia. After graduating from flight school, Don was assigned to the 7/17th Air Cavalry combat assault unit in Viet Nam where he was a Huey pilot and awarded the Bronze Star Medal and other medals for his acts of bravery and service. He was a life member of the Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) and attended numerous VHPA reunions with his wife in various cities across the country to stay in touch with his brothers in arms, who were lifelong friends. After separating from the Army, Don spent the next thirty years working in the petro-chemical industry. He worked in both Colorado and Texas, but most of his career was spent working in a chemical plant in Baytown, Texas. Don volunteered and participated in many school activities involving his daughters and never missed one of their performances or events. He was president of the band booster club and a school chaperone who accompanied many students on trips in Texas. He also made Veterans' Day presentations in schools in the Dallas area. He always wore his Cavalry hat and scarf and was in high demand on Veterans' Day. Don was a family man who enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, hiking, golfing, and skiing with his daughters and wife and, in later years, with his sons-in-law and grandchildren. Don was an avid angler who never met a body of water he did not want to drop a line in, whether it was a pond, stream, river, lake, or ocean. He fished many waters from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and enjoyed fishing trips with his family. It was his dream to teach his grandchildren how to fish. Don was a man full of energy and know-how that could get things done. He had a high science and mechanical aptitude and never hesitated to take anything apart and fix it. He was noted for his skills of observation and analysis and had a procedure for everything-just ask his daughters. He was one of the persons that you would want in your rowboat in a storm or if you were stranded on a desert island. His famous formula for life was A=A. Your attitude in life equals your altitude in life. Don always said that his greatest accomplishment in life was to have produced two wonderful daughters who called him Daddy, who gave him two great sons-in-law, who in turn gave him five spectacular grandchildren who called him Grampy and were the light of his life. He had a blessed life. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. Due to Covid 19, there will only be a private graveside service at this time, but a Memorial service is planned for the future. Don will be buried in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to the Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association Scholarship Fund administered by the American Army Aviators Association.
Burial information: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
This information was last updated 07/21/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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