Cmsgt. Donald G. Zion, Usaf (Ret.)

Chief Master Sergeant Donald Gene Zion, USAF (Retired), husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away at age 76, at 1:05 p.m. on October 7, 2019.

Don was born on September 22, 1943, in Pineville, Louisiana to the late Joseph and Lillian Zion. He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1960. After completing school, Don enlisted in the Air Force where he served honorably for twenty-two years and completed four tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam Conflict. He graduated from Troy State University with a degree in computer science. He married Jennifer Lizabeth Daniel in 1965 and they raised three sons, Gregory, Adam and Eric.

Don was an avid fisherman and loved the Gulf coast. His other passion was coaching sports teams for his sons in Spain, Eglin AFB, and Niceville. During his military career, he traveled all over the world and even took his family to live in Spain for a number of years. He was known for his extraordinary intelligence and his ability to solve complex problems quickly. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Don is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his sons, Gregory (Vicki), Adam (Chanda), and Eric; his grandchildren, Hunter, Clayton, Jonathon, Mersade, Paige, Tyler, Alexandria, Aiden, William, Lauren, Harper, and Hudson; his great-grandchildren, Bennett, Brayden, Rosie, Liam, River, Harper, Clarissa, Asher, and Knox; and his brother Roger (Dee Maxson).

The graveside service celebrating Don’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019, at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.