DONALD ALOYSIUS DEEDS
On Saturday July 2, 2016, Donald Aloysius Deeds Sr. of Bethesda Md., age 91 died peacefully. Mr. Deeds was predeceased by his wife Gertrude Ann Deeds and is survived by his seven devoted children and their families: Suzanne and David Hillman, Angela Deeds and Dean Steel, Donald and Kathy Deeds Jr, Jack and Medora Deeds, Louis and Susane Deeds, Nancy and Garth Culham and Michael and Chrissy Deeds; 15 grandchildren: Cheryl, Richard, Barbara, Ryan, Justin, Cara, Mernielyn, Nicky, Kyle, Zachary, Michael, Katie, Alison, Drew and Trevor; and 3 great grandchildren: Caitlin, Nick and Alex; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers Jack (Margaret and Elizabeth) Deeds and Bill and Mary Lee Deeds, sisters Margaret (Peggy) Deeds, Patricia and Tony McDonald, and Mary and Joe Greblunas, and his grandson Kevin.
Mr. Deeds, known by his initials as “DAD”, was known to all as kind, gentle, loving and caring friend, a successful businessman, and a great American. Truly he was a positive person who with charm and wit loved and believed in the best for others – to many – he was their Dad.
Raised in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington DC, he attended Blessed Sacrament School where the nuns recognized early on his abilities to fix and repair school equipment. The loss of his mother at age 13 had a profound effect on him, giving him a sense of humility and empathy. A warrior by nature, WWII called him at an early age to Saipan where he served with the 20th Airforce in the renown 500th Bomb Group, 883rd Bomb Squadron. Dad was assigned to a B29 Superfortress called “Z SQUARED 52”, 20th Century Sweetheart, which completed 55 missions and survived the war. Injured in battle, his dog tags were found recently in an abandoned Army hospital in Saipan, rekindling relationships with Saipan and the people there. Returning after the war, he married his lifelong love and next-door neighbor. DAD was one of the hardest working men the world will ever know. He worked for United Airlines for 45 years in Airframe and Power Plant on the world’s best-known aircraft; he adopted his own call sign of 747. In his spare time, nights and weekends he started a successful real estate business, added additions to his family and children’s homes, rebuilt cars, and could fix just about anything. He was kind to strangers, neighbors, colleagues – and would lend his time and skills to all. He loved nature, animals, country music, cars, real estate, people, travel, Hawaii – and both God and the American way. DAD will forever be remembered by his trademark smile.
Relatives and friends may call at The Duffy Chapel at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 3630 Quesada St NW, Washington, DC 20015 on Sunday July 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. where Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the main church on Monday July 11 at 11 a.m., followed by Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 3630 Quesada Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015.
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