Donald Frederick Garrett, lieutenant commander (retired), 83, of Oak Harbor and Daytona Beach Shores, Fla. passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 after many years of a progressive and incurable illness.

He served 27 years in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard during the Korea and Vietnam conflicts with numerous awards as a combat search and rescue pilot while deployed in Vietnam. His last tour of naval service was with the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as operations officer and senior helicopter pilot with the station’s search and rescue unit. Following his military career, he was employed as a professor of aeronautical science with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University at its main campus in Daytona Beach, Fla. until his retirement in 2009. He subsequently became a volunteer docent with the Ponce Inlet Light Station in Florida and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse and Fort Casey State Park.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Elsie J. Garrett of Oak Harbor; their two sons, Donald Jr. and his wife Kara of Moses Lake; and David and his wife Brenda of San Marcos, Texas. He is also survived by his granddaughter Caitlin and great-grandson Andrew both of Victoria, Texas.

Burial services with military honors will take place at sea from the deck of a U.S. naval vessel at a future date. The family suggests donations in his name to the United States Lighthouse Society, 9005 Point No Point Rd. NE Hansville, WA 98340. The family wishes to thank HomePlace Special Care in Oak Harbor for the wonderful care given to Donald during his stay.