Don Cody

James Donald Cody (Don) passed away peacefully at his home in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX Friday, June 5, 2015, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in St. Louis, MO October 8, 1931, to James and Irene Cody. \r\n\r\nHe attended grade school at St. Anne's Catholic School in Normandy, MO. He graduated from McBride High School in St. Louis, MO. He attended Quincy College in Quincy, IL before answering the call of duty by joining the United States Navy. While in the Navy, Don excelled as an aviator, was promoted to Lt. Junior Grade and flew with the first squadron of jets aboard the straight-deck carrier USS Kearsarge during the Korean War. He had appearances in the war time movies "The Eternal Sea" and "The Bridges of Toko-Ri." He ended his Navy career as an instructor in Pensacola and Miramar and flew in training with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. After the Navy, Don had a successful career as an aircraft salesman for H. B. Zachry, Alamo Aviation and TexSun Beechcraft. He and his business partner, Ed Box, formed Chaparral Aviation in San Antonio and Dallas, and later expanded to other Texas cities. Don carried on his love of aviation and acted as one of the founding members of the Beechcraft Silver Fox group which involved a group of retirees from Beech Aircraft and it's dealer network getting together annually to keep alive the legacy of the "good old days" of selling and servicing Beechcrafts. After his career in aviation he entered the ranching business raising Brangus cattle and goats. He enjoyed land stewardship and improving the quality of life for local wildlife. Don was an active member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bandera, TX and was a member of the Knights of Columbus where he made many friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, ATVs and the time he spent at Terlingua Ranch in the Big Bend of Texas.\r\n\r\nDon was preceded in death by his first wife Matilda H. Cody, mother of his children, and his parents, James and Irene Cody. \r\n\r\nHe is survived by his loving wife of 32 years Carol Cody, Daughter Debbie Pena and husband Danny, Son Mike Cody and wife Patty, Daughter Linda Rush and husband Stan, Daughter Patti Cody Marvin, Daughter Kathy Cody Winterrowd and husband Blake, Son Steve Cody and wife Melissa, fourteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, his sister Mary Lu Happley and many long time friends including Joe Hilner, David Thompson and Dick Hetzel. \r\n\r\nThe rosary and visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11, at 7 pm at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Bandera, TX. \r\n\r\nFuneral services will be held on June 12, at 10 AM at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bandera, TX with Fr. John Nolan officiating. Burial will follow at The Old Catholic Cemetery. \r\n\r\nPallbearers will be honored members of the Bandera Chapter of The Knights of Columbus. \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to The Alzheimer's Association. \r\n\r\nThe family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his Primary Care Physician Dr. Michael Grocki, Alamo Hospice, grandchildren Billie Jo Brown and Chris Brown for their compassion, love and kindness in caring for him, owners of Nurse Next Door in Fair Oaks Ranch Lisa Lyles and her son Scott for their continued sensitive accommodations and the exceptional caregiver they provided, Linda "Take Charge" Lucero, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church. \r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]