Donald Charles Findlay, 94, passed away in his home on May 17, 2017. He was born July 2, 1922, in Springfield, Missouri and grew up in Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. He graduated from Winfield High School, Kansas in 1939.Don attended Abilene Christian College, but in 1943 he was drafted and served as an army technical sergeant in World War II. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and was honorably discharged in 1946. Don then received his B.A. from Phillips University, his M.A. from the University of Tulsa, and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas in Austin. While in Austin, he met Merle Evelyn Gipson in 1949 and they married three months later in San Antonio.After Don completed his Ph.D., he became associated with the Human Resources Research Office of George Washington University (HUMRO), focusing on military training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1956, Don joined the RAND Corporation; while with RAND, and later Systems Development Corporation (SDC), he worked in military training with the 33rd, 9th, and 64th Air Divisions; the latter located in St Johns, Newfoundland and Thule AFB, Greenland. In 1960, Don and family transferred with SDC to Wiesbaden, Germany where he worked in military training and nuclear defense at Headquarters United States Air Force Europe (USAFE) and United States European Command in Paris. During Don’s assignment, he travelled extensively through Western Europe with Merle and their children Rebecca, Clyde, and Sarah in their green VW camper.Don continued his career with SDC in Santa Monica, California, assigned to the world-missioned Tactical Air Command. Don then worked in several directorships, ending his career at the Ohio State University as tenured professor and Director of R&D for the National Center for Vocational & Technical Education in Columbus, Ohio.In 1978, Don and Merle retired to Hide-away-Lake in East Texas. There they hosted many family gatherings with their children and grandchildren. However, from 1985-2003 they continued their love of European travel with annual, six-month, camping trips in their blue VW camper. Their favorite campgrounds were in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland and Oxford, England. Don spent many hours at the Bodleian Library researching his Scottish heritage. In 2007 Don and Merle moved to Midland.Don’s family and career were important, but his legacy was his lifelong love for Merle. They were inseparable and always strongly dedicated to each other. A true gentleman, Don influenced all he met with his devotion and quiet love for Merle.He is survived by his three children Rebecca Ann Arnold and husband Tony of Columbus, Ohio; Clyde Pitt Findlay II and wife Jennifer of Midland; and Sarah Ann Philpy and husband Mark of Midland. Grandchildren include Laurin Arnold of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Wesley Arnold of Columbus, Deeann Camp and husband Drew of Midland, Clyde Pitt Findlay III and wife Jenny of College Station, Holly Findlay of Austin, Christopher Cliver of Houston, Olivia Cliver of Midland, and Clara Cliver of College Station. There is one great grandchild, Isla June Findlay of College Station. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation for their five loyal and compassionate caregivers Crystal Haynes, Dorothy Jacobs, Dianna Nelson, Annie Norice and Sharonda Petterson.He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Merle Evelyn Gipson Findlay; brother, Robert C. Findlay; and his parents, Clyde P. Findlay and Lettie Mae St. Clair Findlay.A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland with a family visitation following. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Boy Scouts of America.,
