Duncan Banner, Sun., June 10, 2007
Norman - DON RIMMER, 81, of Norman, died Friday, June 8, 2007, after a brief illness.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Guardian Norman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Norman.
He was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Lone Wolf, to Warren and Pearl Hazelton Rimmer. In the fall of 1943, before his 18th birthday, Don signed up to serve in World War II.
After Navy boot camp in Norfolk, Va., Don boarded the USS Santee on Jan. 29, 1944. The Santee was a converted "baby flattop" aircraft carrier that traveled through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Theater of War. On Oct. 25, 1944, the Santee was gunned by four Japanese Zero airplanes. One suicide plane hit amidship on the flight deck.
Don, an aviation ordnance man, helped toss all bombs and depth charges overboard. Ten minutes later, a torpedo hit the Santee, with water coming into the ship. Their sister-ship, the USS Suwanee, took another suicide hit. The Santee continued operations in battle despite being cut in half by the attack, even with most of the aircraft gone. Twenty men aboard died, with another 40 men injured, some severely. After crawling back to Pearl Harbor, where repairs were made, the Santee saw more action in the Pacific.
On April 18, 1945, "Tokyo Rose" even threatened the six carriers of the Sagamon Class to stop causing so much trouble or they would be sunk.
Don married Waurika native Muriel Louise McGinnis in Duncan on Dec. 21, 1944, while on leave. He was discharged Nov. 19, 1945.
After returning to Oklahoma, Don graduated from Addington High School in May 1946.
Don worked in the 1950s for Sunray Oil Co. in Duncan; was distributor of The Daily Oklahoman in the Duncan area; and later worked for Rock Island Oil Co. In the 1960s, he began doing journeyman construction, one project being the Arkansas River Navigation Project, Lock and Dam Number Six.
After moving to Norman in the spring of 1968, Don worked for the University of Oklahoma, and then began working at Westinghouse Air Conditioning Corp. as a machine operator, continuing for Borg-Warner and York, before retiring in 1988.
Don had good carpentry skills, loved doing crossword puzzles, reading history and science-fiction, and maintained lovely flower gardens and a nearly perfect yard.
His daughter, Linda, remembers being in Rainbow Girls in high school, but most of all she remembers Don being her "sounding board." She would take troubles or decisions to him, he would listen and then say, "You'll make the right decision," not telling her what to do but supporting her.
His son, Jim, remembers Don teaching him to play chess while Don whistled "Goodnight, Irene," throwing newspapers with him, and working on the lock and dam in Arkansas with him.
His son, Charles, remembers doing agriculture projects with Don and attending DeMolay activities.
Don entered Masonry at Waurika Masonic Lodge in 1951. He was worshipful master at Duncan Lodge No. 60 (home lodge) in 1958, and was commander of the commandery at the Norman Lodge.
He also belonged to the Purcell and Noble lodges. As a master Mason, he held various posts, including appendant bodies, Grand Chapter-grand high priest (state level), Royal Arch Masons, Knight Templar-grand commandery, Red Cross of Constantine, KYCH, KTRP, and other positions.
He was very proud of being an "A" Certificate lecturer for nearly 50 years. This included floor work and language in all Masonic work. He enjoyed teaching the lectures, new Masonic members and visiting different lodges in many states.
He is survived by his wife of 62-1/2 years, Muriel Louise McGinnis Rimmer of the home; a daughter, Linda Louise Rimmer Ray of Farmers Branch, Texas; two sons, James Donald and wife Betsy Elliot Rimmer of Seabrook, Texas, and David Charles and wife Diane Hicks Rimmer of Newcastle; six grandchildren and spouses, Wyatt and Melissa Rimmer Crawford of Lubbock, Texas, Lt. Cmdr. Jason and Amanda Barnett Rimmer of Coronado, Calif., Windy and Tina Bravo Johnson of Waurika, Dave and Andrea Johnston Kaupp of Corona, Calif., Darci Rimmer of Tuttle, and Jed and Misty McKinnon Rimmer of Norman; a niece, Earline Oberg Churbuck of New Port Richey, Fla.; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Rimmer Orberg; and a brother, Ralph Lloyd Rimmer.
Norman - DON RIMMER, 81, of Norman, died Friday, June 8, 2007, after a brief illness.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Guardian Norman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Norman.
He was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Lone Wolf, to Warren and Pearl Hazelton Rimmer. In the fall of 1943, before his 18th birthday, Don signed up to serve in World War II.
After Navy boot camp in Norfolk, Va., Don boarded the USS Santee on Jan. 29, 1944. The Santee was a converted "baby flattop" aircraft carrier that traveled through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Theater of War. On Oct. 25, 1944, the Santee was gunned by four Japanese Zero airplanes. One suicide plane hit amidship on the flight deck.
Don, an aviation ordnance man, helped toss all bombs and depth charges overboard. Ten minutes later, a torpedo hit the Santee, with water coming into the ship. Their sister-ship, the USS Suwanee, took another suicide hit. The Santee continued operations in battle despite being cut in half by the attack, even with most of the aircraft gone. Twenty men aboard died, with another 40 men injured, some severely. After crawling back to Pearl Harbor, where repairs were made, the Santee saw more action in the Pacific.
On April 18, 1945, "Tokyo Rose" even threatened the six carriers of the Sagamon Class to stop causing so much trouble or they would be sunk.
Don married Waurika native Muriel Louise McGinnis in Duncan on Dec. 21, 1944, while on leave. He was discharged Nov. 19, 1945.
After returning to Oklahoma, Don graduated from Addington High School in May 1946.
Don worked in the 1950s for Sunray Oil Co. in Duncan; was distributor of The Daily Oklahoman in the Duncan area; and later worked for Rock Island Oil Co. In the 1960s, he began doing journeyman construction, one project being the Arkansas River Navigation Project, Lock and Dam Number Six.
After moving to Norman in the spring of 1968, Don worked for the University of Oklahoma, and then began working at Westinghouse Air Conditioning Corp. as a machine operator, continuing for Borg-Warner and York, before retiring in 1988.
Don had good carpentry skills, loved doing crossword puzzles, reading history and science-fiction, and maintained lovely flower gardens and a nearly perfect yard.
His daughter, Linda, remembers being in Rainbow Girls in high school, but most of all she remembers Don being her "sounding board." She would take troubles or decisions to him, he would listen and then say, "You'll make the right decision," not telling her what to do but supporting her.
His son, Jim, remembers Don teaching him to play chess while Don whistled "Goodnight, Irene," throwing newspapers with him, and working on the lock and dam in Arkansas with him.
His son, Charles, remembers doing agriculture projects with Don and attending DeMolay activities.
Don entered Masonry at Waurika Masonic Lodge in 1951. He was worshipful master at Duncan Lodge No. 60 (home lodge) in 1958, and was commander of the commandery at the Norman Lodge.
He also belonged to the Purcell and Noble lodges. As a master Mason, he held various posts, including appendant bodies, Grand Chapter-grand high priest (state level), Royal Arch Masons, Knight Templar-grand commandery, Red Cross of Constantine, KYCH, KTRP, and other positions.
He was very proud of being an "A" Certificate lecturer for nearly 50 years. This included floor work and language in all Masonic work. He enjoyed teaching the lectures, new Masonic members and visiting different lodges in many states.
He is survived by his wife of 62-1/2 years, Muriel Louise McGinnis Rimmer of the home; a daughter, Linda Louise Rimmer Ray of Farmers Branch, Texas; two sons, James Donald and wife Betsy Elliot Rimmer of Seabrook, Texas, and David Charles and wife Diane Hicks Rimmer of Newcastle; six grandchildren and spouses, Wyatt and Melissa Rimmer Crawford of Lubbock, Texas, Lt. Cmdr. Jason and Amanda Barnett Rimmer of Coronado, Calif., Windy and Tina Bravo Johnson of Waurika, Dave and Andrea Johnston Kaupp of Corona, Calif., Darci Rimmer of Tuttle, and Jed and Misty McKinnon Rimmer of Norman; a niece, Earline Oberg Churbuck of New Port Richey, Fla.; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Rimmer Orberg; and a brother, Ralph Lloyd Rimmer.
Duncan Banner, Sun., June 10, 2007
Norman - DON RIMMER, 81, of Norman, died Friday, June 8, 2007, after a brief illness.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Guardian Norman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Norman.
He was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Lone Wolf, to Warren and Pearl Hazelton Rimmer. In the fall of 1943, before his 18th birthday, Don signed up to serve in World War II.
After Navy boot camp in Norfolk, Va., Don boarded the USS Santee on Jan. 29, 1944. The Santee was a converted "baby flattop" aircraft carrier that traveled through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Theater of War. On Oct. 25, 1944, the Santee was gunned by four Japanese Zero airplanes. One suicide plane hit amidship on the flight deck.
Don, an aviation ordnance man, helped toss all bombs and depth charges overboard. Ten minutes later, a torpedo hit the Santee, with water coming into the ship. Their sister-ship, the USS Suwanee, took another suicide hit. The Santee continued operations in battle despite being cut in half by the attack, even with most of the aircraft gone. Twenty men aboard died, with another 40 men injured, some severely. After crawling back to Pearl Harbor, where repairs were made, the Santee saw more action in the Pacific.
On April 18, 1945, "Tokyo Rose" even threatened the six carriers of the Sagamon Class to stop causing so much trouble or they would be sunk.
Don married Waurika native Muriel Louise McGinnis in Duncan on Dec. 21, 1944, while on leave. He was discharged Nov. 19, 1945.
After returning to Oklahoma, Don graduated from Addington High School in May 1946.
Don worked in the 1950s for Sunray Oil Co. in Duncan; was distributor of The Daily Oklahoman in the Duncan area; and later worked for Rock Island Oil Co. In the 1960s, he began doing journeyman construction, one project being the Arkansas River Navigation Project, Lock and Dam Number Six.
After moving to Norman in the spring of 1968, Don worked for the University of Oklahoma, and then began working at Westinghouse Air Conditioning Corp. as a machine operator, continuing for Borg-Warner and York, before retiring in 1988.
Don had good carpentry skills, loved doing crossword puzzles, reading history and science-fiction, and maintained lovely flower gardens and a nearly perfect yard.
His daughter, Linda, remembers being in Rainbow Girls in high school, but most of all she remembers Don being her "sounding board." She would take troubles or decisions to him, he would listen and then say, "You'll make the right decision," not telling her what to do but supporting her.
His son, Jim, remembers Don teaching him to play chess while Don whistled "Goodnight, Irene," throwing newspapers with him, and working on the lock and dam in Arkansas with him.
His son, Charles, remembers doing agriculture projects with Don and attending DeMolay activities.
Don entered Masonry at Waurika Masonic Lodge in 1951. He was worshipful master at Duncan Lodge No. 60 (home lodge) in 1958, and was commander of the commandery at the Norman Lodge.
He also belonged to the Purcell and Noble lodges. As a master Mason, he held various posts, including appendant bodies, Grand Chapter-grand high priest (state level), Royal Arch Masons, Knight Templar-grand commandery, Red Cross of Constantine, KYCH, KTRP, and other positions.
He was very proud of being an "A" Certificate lecturer for nearly 50 years. This included floor work and language in all Masonic work. He enjoyed teaching the lectures, new Masonic members and visiting different lodges in many states.
He is survived by his wife of 62-1/2 years, Muriel Louise McGinnis Rimmer of the home; a daughter, Linda Louise Rimmer Ray of Farmers Branch, Texas; two sons, James Donald and wife Betsy Elliot Rimmer of Seabrook, Texas, and David Charles and wife Diane Hicks Rimmer of Newcastle; six grandchildren and spouses, Wyatt and Melissa Rimmer Crawford of Lubbock, Texas, Lt. Cmdr. Jason and Amanda Barnett Rimmer of Coronado, Calif., Windy and Tina Bravo Johnson of Waurika, Dave and Andrea Johnston Kaupp of Corona, Calif., Darci Rimmer of Tuttle, and Jed and Misty McKinnon Rimmer of Norman; a niece, Earline Oberg Churbuck of New Port Richey, Fla.; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Rimmer Orberg; and a brother, Ralph Lloyd Rimmer.
Norman - DON RIMMER, 81, of Norman, died Friday, June 8, 2007, after a brief illness.
Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Guardian Norman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Norman.
He was born Dec. 3, 1925, in Lone Wolf, to Warren and Pearl Hazelton Rimmer. In the fall of 1943, before his 18th birthday, Don signed up to serve in World War II.
After Navy boot camp in Norfolk, Va., Don boarded the USS Santee on Jan. 29, 1944. The Santee was a converted "baby flattop" aircraft carrier that traveled through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Theater of War. On Oct. 25, 1944, the Santee was gunned by four Japanese Zero airplanes. One suicide plane hit amidship on the flight deck.
Don, an aviation ordnance man, helped toss all bombs and depth charges overboard. Ten minutes later, a torpedo hit the Santee, with water coming into the ship. Their sister-ship, the USS Suwanee, took another suicide hit. The Santee continued operations in battle despite being cut in half by the attack, even with most of the aircraft gone. Twenty men aboard died, with another 40 men injured, some severely. After crawling back to Pearl Harbor, where repairs were made, the Santee saw more action in the Pacific.
On April 18, 1945, "Tokyo Rose" even threatened the six carriers of the Sagamon Class to stop causing so much trouble or they would be sunk.
Don married Waurika native Muriel Louise McGinnis in Duncan on Dec. 21, 1944, while on leave. He was discharged Nov. 19, 1945.
After returning to Oklahoma, Don graduated from Addington High School in May 1946.
Don worked in the 1950s for Sunray Oil Co. in Duncan; was distributor of The Daily Oklahoman in the Duncan area; and later worked for Rock Island Oil Co. In the 1960s, he began doing journeyman construction, one project being the Arkansas River Navigation Project, Lock and Dam Number Six.
After moving to Norman in the spring of 1968, Don worked for the University of Oklahoma, and then began working at Westinghouse Air Conditioning Corp. as a machine operator, continuing for Borg-Warner and York, before retiring in 1988.
Don had good carpentry skills, loved doing crossword puzzles, reading history and science-fiction, and maintained lovely flower gardens and a nearly perfect yard.
His daughter, Linda, remembers being in Rainbow Girls in high school, but most of all she remembers Don being her "sounding board." She would take troubles or decisions to him, he would listen and then say, "You'll make the right decision," not telling her what to do but supporting her.
His son, Jim, remembers Don teaching him to play chess while Don whistled "Goodnight, Irene," throwing newspapers with him, and working on the lock and dam in Arkansas with him.
His son, Charles, remembers doing agriculture projects with Don and attending DeMolay activities.
Don entered Masonry at Waurika Masonic Lodge in 1951. He was worshipful master at Duncan Lodge No. 60 (home lodge) in 1958, and was commander of the commandery at the Norman Lodge.
He also belonged to the Purcell and Noble lodges. As a master Mason, he held various posts, including appendant bodies, Grand Chapter-grand high priest (state level), Royal Arch Masons, Knight Templar-grand commandery, Red Cross of Constantine, KYCH, KTRP, and other positions.
He was very proud of being an "A" Certificate lecturer for nearly 50 years. This included floor work and language in all Masonic work. He enjoyed teaching the lectures, new Masonic members and visiting different lodges in many states.
He is survived by his wife of 62-1/2 years, Muriel Louise McGinnis Rimmer of the home; a daughter, Linda Louise Rimmer Ray of Farmers Branch, Texas; two sons, James Donald and wife Betsy Elliot Rimmer of Seabrook, Texas, and David Charles and wife Diane Hicks Rimmer of Newcastle; six grandchildren and spouses, Wyatt and Melissa Rimmer Crawford of Lubbock, Texas, Lt. Cmdr. Jason and Amanda Barnett Rimmer of Coronado, Calif., Windy and Tina Bravo Johnson of Waurika, Dave and Andrea Johnston Kaupp of Corona, Calif., Darci Rimmer of Tuttle, and Jed and Misty McKinnon Rimmer of Norman; a niece, Earline Oberg Churbuck of New Port Richey, Fla.; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lois Rimmer Orberg; and a brother, Ralph Lloyd Rimmer.
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