Donald F. Bassett's Obituary
Donald F. Bassett, a longtime resident of Escondido, died on Monday, April 16th in Carlsbad, Ca. His wife of 62 years, Betty Howell Bassett, preceded his passing in 2008.
Born in Skidmore Missouri on May 17th, 1923, Don came to California at 19 as a Marine Air Corps pilot. He spent a productive military career as a test pilot in San Diego during WWII and later as a transport pilot in the South Pacific and China. After the war, Don and Betty started a retail business that would blossom from selling socks and women’s hosiery out of the trunk of their car, to an award winning group of young women’s clothing stores called Valdon’s. Later he opened a chain of st In retirement, Don and Betty lived in Solana Beach, Rancho Bernardo and Carlsbad. Their time was spent being close to their family or traveling far – visiting over 40 countries, making lasting friendships everywhere they went. Don is survived by his two sons, Frank of San Clemente and Steve of Cornwall, N.Y.; their wives, Merrie and Anne; and five grandchildren, Cyril Cameron, Samuel, Tyler and Emma. In lieu of flowers, please donate to San Diego Hospice at www.sdhospice.org.
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