Person:Donald Gladson (1)

About Donald Gladson

Donald Dean Gladson was born on 14 May 1935 in Irvine, Warren County, Iowa, the sixth and youngest child of Jesse Cleo Gladson and his wife, Emma Barbara Hannan. After moving from Iowa to Southern California in 1951 with his parents, Don graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1953 and went on to attend Life Bible College in Los Angeles, where he was later ordained by the Assemblies of God. He went on to further his education and graduated from California State University, Fullerton, attaining Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Socioloty.

Don started his professional career working for Rockview Dairy in Downey, California and opened the Fullerton facility as Manager in 1965 when he moved his family to "Friendly Fullerton" and lived there the remainder of his life. Afterwards, he worked for Polar Chilled Products of Brea and Fullerton, and later landed a position with Challenge Dairy Products, where he started as a Route Salesman and worked for the next 33 years. Don was promoted several times during his career and worked his way up to Regional Sales Manager for Challenge, where he retired in 2011.

Don was married twice; first, to Marita J. McNutt on 24 February 1957 in Orange, California (ended in amicable divorce on 30 December 1980) and second, to Kay E. Dempsey on 8 September 1984 in Los Angeles County, California, his wife of 28 years. Don pre-deceased both Marita and Kay.

His great passion in life was flying small planes. Don earned his pilot's license, multiple pilot's ratings, and became a flight instructor at Fullerton Municipal Airport, and served for 19 years as a Reserve Officer in the Orange County Sherriff's Aero Sqadron. His many hobbies included eating his wife Kay's yummy cooking, enjoying a good cup of black coffee any time of day, tennis, antique firearms, hunting and camping, listening to early rock and roll and dancing. He was an avid reader, strong supporter of education, a life-long learner and loved Brittany dogs.

Don was a highly respected member of the Dairy/Deli Industry in Southern California and formed close friendships with many of his customers in the retail food industry during his career. Don represented Challenge Dairy at many food industry events during his career and supported many industry charitable and trade associations including the California Cheese & Butter Association and the Dairy/Deli/Bakery Council of Southern California. Donald Gladson was a true gentleman that enjoyed life, his friends and family, and will be missed by all that knew him.

Obituary

Gladson, Donald Dean

May 14, 1935 - July 14, 2013

Donald Gladson of Fullerton, entered eternity at home on July 14 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Iowa & is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kay; daughters, Adrienne Gladson, Orange; Andrea Kavianian, son-in-law, Reza Kavianian; grandchildren, Catherine, Elizabeth, Brent, Norco; brothers, Clell, Costa Mesa; Jess, Medford, Oregon and sisters, Maxine Lamparello, Simi Valley and Barbara Fitzsimmons, Agoura Hills; dear nieces & nephews & former wife, Marita. His passion was flying achieving multiple ratings including Flight Instructor at Fullerton Airport. He was a Reserved Officer for the OC Sheriff Aero Squadron (19 yrs) & a member of QB's, Long Beach & Elks Lodge Fullerton. He retired from Challenge Dairy Products after 33 years of service. He enjoyed eating Kay's yummy cooking & his Brittany, Mattie. Don was well-loved by dear friends who will greatly miss his daily telephone calls & visiting him for dinners at his home.

A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, August 24 at AFI Flight Training Center, Fullerton Airport from 1-4 pm, dessert will be served. Donations in his name to the National Brittany Rescue Network in Culver City are welcomed.

[1]

1.   Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index: Death Master File, database. (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service).

   U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
   Name: Donald D Gladson
   Born: 14 May 1935
   Died: 14 Jul 2013
   State (Year) SSN issued: Iowa (Before 1951)
   [Ancestry.com]