Donald J. Karp of
Chesterton, a graduate of Tolleston High School, passed away on Saturday,
May 9, 2015, at his home.
He was born in
Gary, IN, in 1929 to Stanley J. and Katherine J. Sitar Karp, who preceded
him in death.
Donald is survived
by one son, Robert Karp of Chesterton, daughter Wendy O’Brien of Lakewood,
Colorado and two grandchildren, Chad O’Brien of Oregon, WI, and Alan Daily
of Indianapolis, as well as by his great-grandson Levi Daily, and his sister
Audrey (Robert) McClure, of Crown Point.
He is also preceded
in death by his wife Adeline L. Marker Karp, who passed away on February 27,
1981, his son, James D. Karp and his brother, Raymond R. Karp. Donald was
rich with many good friends, including The Duneland Ding-a-lings.
At age 17, Donald
needed his parent’s signature to enlist in the United States Air Force, and
was enlisted for three years. He was held over an extra year for the Korean
Conflict, making him in the military four years, from 1947 to 1951.
Donald was schooled
by the Air Force to service remote control turrets on B-29 and B-50 heavy
bombers. He was stationed at North AFB in Guam as a turrets gunner and
remote control turret specialist during WWII occupation forces and the
Korean Conflict.
He held a private
pilot’s license and had his own plane since 1982 and eventually sold it in
1995. He worked in civil service at Wright/Patterson Air Force Base
servicing experimental remote control turrets on B-17, B-29, B-50 and B-36.
He worked for Lockheed Aircraft as Chief Electronic Technician refurbishing
B-29 remote control turrets during the Korean Conflict.
He also worked at
United States Steel (Sheet and Tin Mill) as Chief Electronic Technician on
Automated Mills and worked for Gary Community School Corporation in the
Audio Visual Department. There, he repaired audio visual equipment,
computers and maintained the Gary community school corporation FM radio. He
also taught and trained administrators, teachers and secretaries in computer
literacy technology.
Donald retired from
Gary Community School Corporation on May 1, 1992 after working there for
twenty-eight years.
He did part-time
work repairing computers and related for North West Educational Service
Center in Highland.
A Memorial
Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2015, from 2 until 4
p.m,. at The Water Bird, 556 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton, IN.
In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, 2401
Valley Drive, Valparaiso, IN, 46383.
Arrangements are
under the direction of White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton.