Donald Darden Cain

Donald Darden Cain was born May 9, 1947 in Liberty Hill, Georgia. He lived the early years of his life in various locations throughout the state where he greatly enjoyed fishing and experiencing countless outdoor adventures with his older brother, Ray. In 1961, stability was finally added to Don’s life when he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Quentin and Ruth Cain.

Don had a deep respect and love for his country that led him down a career path of military service. In total, Don spent over 28 years in uniform. He graduated in 1965 from Gordon Military High School where he was an academic scholar, multisport athlete, and captain of the football team. He often said his 3 years as the only male in high school French class with 23 girls was also pretty special. From that foundation, Don was accepted to both the United States Army Military Academy and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Selecting the Air Force Academy, Don began his professional military service at an entirely new location to him, where he made friends and enjoyed experiences that he spoke of often for the rest of his life.

While at the Academy, Don got into enough mischief with fellow cadets that landed him on confinements several times. When the Academy enlarged the cadet wing, Don was selected to be the Executive Officer for the newly created Squadron 32. He loved talking about how he and the Squadron Commander worked with the Walt Disney Corporation for permission to use their cartoon Road Runner character on the new squadron patch. Don loved that to this day, Squadron 32 is known as the Road Runners with the slogan “Catch Us If You Can”.

In February 1966, his Doolie (freshman) year, Don was coerced by his best friend, Johnny Stavely, into taking Johnny’s little sister, Frances, to the formal Sweethearts Ball. The somewhat sad and hilarious story behind this blind date was one Don enjoyed telling and embellishing as the years went by. But apparently impressed, Franci soon became a significant part of Don’s life.

Don graduated from the Academy June 4, 1969 as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force and 3 days later on June 7th, Don and Franci were married at the First Baptist Church in Eads, CO. While stationed at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, they welcomed their daughter, Audra Dawn, into their lives. Three years later while on an education assignment in Auburn, Alabama, Audra became the big sister to Donald Wesley.

Together throughout Don’s 20+ year Air Force career, he, Franci, Audra, and Wes endured the demands of military life, but appreciated the experiences they shared as they moved across the country. As a logistics officer, Don’s first assignment was to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. From there, they journeyed to Wichita Falls, TX, where Don discovered his love for teaching while assigned as a faculty instructor for the Comptroller School at Shepherd AF Base and a few years later as an instructor for the Air Command and Staff College, at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery AL.

1980 found Don and the family on the move again – this time to Omaha, Nebraska when he was hand selected to direct the computer hardware and later the software divisions that supported the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Worldwide Military Command and Control System. The SAC headquarters assignment required that Don work in a vault, 7 stories below ground in the real-life big screen arena often depicted in television and movie war stories, tracking military aircraft and nuclear weapons around the world.

After years of wishful thinking, the Cain foursome was finally allowed to move back to Colorado -- to family and the mountain area they loved -- when Don was selected as Program Manager for software development for the Foreign Military Sales application. Although technically assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Don was permitted to accomplish his mission at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. It was from this location that – at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel -- 20 years, 5 months, 27 days and 7 cross-country moves later – Don completed his illustrious AF career and hung up his blue uniform for the final time.

Don received his Master of Science Degree in Computer Systems and Management from Auburn University and graduated from Air University and Air Command and Staff College. He earned his private pilot's license and was able to check an item off his Bucket List by accomplishing a take-off and landing at Wright Brothers Field in North Carolina as a surprise gift from Franci for his 65th birthday.

Don predominantly spent his retired years outdoors, tirelessly caring for his lawn and land, golfing, four wheeling, snowmobiling, jogging, helping his son with numerous projects and relocations, visiting his daughter, tinkering in his shop, and joyfully dog-sitting his son’s labradoodle. Don was a devoted father who loved watching and supporting his children in their activities and delighted in introducing them to new experiences. He was proud of their accomplishments and considered them his greatest achievement. The highlight of his retired years was when he became the doting grandfather to Brooke Ashlyn. He was silly about and with Brooke in her youth and extremely proud of her as an independent young woman. He experienced incredible joy watching her blossom as a singer, dancer, and actor in her many stage performances over the years, always present to support and encourage her. He was particularly tickled when, as a youngster, Brooke dubbed him "G.D." because "granddad" was just too many letters for her to spell out! G.D. "stuck" and always made him smile.

Don is survived by his wife of 56 years, daughter, Audra Hager; son, Wes (Andrea Quast) Cain; granddaughter, Brooke Hager; brother, David Darden; sisters, Melba Darden and Tommie Jean Myers; his large extended family, and lifetime friends. Preceding Don in passing were his parents, Quinten and Ruth Cain; brother, Ray Darden; and sisters, Sandra Cain, Diane Bajer, and Brenda Williams.

Don has been loved by many, will be deeply missed, and will remain in our hearts forever.