01/06/2003
Funeral services for Donald Franklin Saylor, Jr., 54, a Knoxville, who died Monday,
Jan. 6, 2003, at Knoxville Are Community Hospital, were held Friday, Jan. 10, at
Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.
Pastor Bruce Thompson officiated at the services. Interment
was at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Military honors were provided by the United
States Marine Corps, American Legion Baty-Tucker Post No. 168, and the V.F.W. John
Myers Post No. 3519 Casketbearers were Gary Boggs, Chuck Cline, Bill Hildebrant,
Bob Roman, Eddie Sirovy, and Ron Wilharm.
Don was born July 29, 1948, in Holyoke
Mass., the son of Donald Franklin Saylor, Sr., and Roberta Jean (Pierson) Saylor.
He was raised in Des Moines until his family moved to Knoxville when he was in junior
high.
Don enlisted in the Marine Corp: in 1967. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam,
where he was awarded the Purple Heart and three bronze stars along with numerous
other citations and medals. During peacetime, Don had the honor of serving on Marion
Corps I, the president’s helicopter.
On April 17, 1981, he was honorable discharged,
at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, from the Marine Corps with over 14 years of service
to our nation. Don returned home to Knoxville and worked in the housekeeping department
of the V.A. Hospital for six years before retiring.
In his spare time, Don enjoyed racquetball, traveling, and camping. He especially enjoyed older cars, owning two
Corvain and an Edsel. He was a hard worker and had a good sense of humor. Most of
all, he enjoyed people and had yet to meet strangers. He was a member of the V.F.W.
and the Edsel Club 01 America.
He was preceded in death by his father, Don. Sr.
and his uncle Harold Saylor. He is survived by his son, Michael, and wife Amy of Kansas City, Kan.; two granddaughters, Courtney and Alyssa; his mother, Roberta
Saylor of Knoxville; two brothers, Jerry and wife Nonie of Oskaloosa and Rodney
of Norfolk, Va.; foul nieces; his companion, Andra K. Duit of Knoxville; an aunt,
Wilma Saylor of Des Moines and many other family members and friends.
Memorials
may be made to the Knoxville Recreation Center. Arrangements were made by Bybee
& Davis Funeral Home.