J. Donald Elliott's Obituary
James (Don) Elliott
Don Elliott, a 22 year resident of Escondido, passed away February 5, 2015 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania in 1927 to William Paul and Mary Frances Elliott, the second of four children. His early childhood education was in a one room schoolhouse. In 1945 as WWII was coming to an end, Don joined the Navy and subsequently got an appointment to the Naval Academy, graduating in 1950.
Early sea duty included assignments aboard USS Salem and USS E.G. Small; subsequently becoming Commanding Officer of USS Kelso, a sub chaser. In 1956 Don met and married Faye Fraser during shore duty as Aide to Fourth Naval District Commandant, Philadelphia. Sea duty included a tour on Cruiser Division Four staff and Executive Officer of USS Marshall. A short assignment in the Bureau of Personnel, Washington was followed by attendance at Naval Postgraduate School graduating in 1963.
Don returned to sea duty as Executive Officer of USS Coontz, Weapons Officer of USS Galveston and Commanding Officer of USS Joseph Strauss. Following graduation from the Army War College in 1967, he became program manager for the TALOS guided missile program at NavOrd, Washington. From 1971 1973 Don was Commanding Officer of the guided missile cruiser, USS Albany. He then returned to Washington and was assigned to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Subsequently, Don was Commanding Officer of Naval Ship Weapons Engineering Station, Port Hueneme, Ca and Deputy Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Pacific. He retired in 1980 after
35 years of service.
Don was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star (w/Combat Distinguished Device), Combat Action Ribbon, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and wore the Surface Warfare Officer, Command at Sea and Major Shore Command insignias.
Upon retirement he worked for Raytheon in Santa Barbara for 13 years.
Over the years Don participated in Little League and Boy Scouts; and in retirement he was active in local community programs serving as President of Navy League (Santa Barbara), Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge ( San Diego), and Association of Resident Owners of Hidden Meadows.
Capt. Elliott is survived by his wife of 58 years, Faye and sons Hugh Elliott, (Ann); Mark Elliott, (Susan); Thomas Elliott, (Mimi); daughter, Jane Whitney, (Mark) and brother Bill Elliott (Jane) as well as eleven grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for March 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Escondido. Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
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