Donald Jefferson, beloved husband, father, papa, great-papa and friend passed away on April 21, 2026 at the Treasure Coast Hospice House in Stuart, FL, at the age of 90. He was born in Reidsville, North Carolina to Morris and Jewel Jefferson on August 7, 1935.
He met the love of his life, Laura Jane Morris, his wife of 71 years in 1953 and they married on April 3, 1955. He attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a BA in Music in 1957. While at the university, he was a drum major, and later, the president of the university band, the Marching Tar Heels. He also played in a successful dance band that traveled on weekends for events and weddings. He was active R.O.T.C. and later fulfilled this commitment when he became a pilot in the US Air Force. After graduating Air Force pilot training, he went on to become a fighter pilot flying the F-102 (Delta Dagger) at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and the F-106 (Delta Dart) at Selfridge AFB in Michigan.
Don then transitioned into the Air Force Reserves and accepted a pilot position with Pan American World Airways as a 727 Flight Engineer and settled his family in Coral Gables, FL. He later flew the 707 and the 747 with Pan American. In 1985, he took a job with United Airlines, flying as a First Officer on the B-757/B-767. He went on to become a Captain, flying the DC-8 and then the B-757/B-767. During his flying career, he was an active member of the negotiation teams with the Flight Engineer’s International Association (FEIA) and the Airline Pilot’s Association (ALPA), as well. He concluded his Air Force career, after 20 years of service (active & reserves), as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Don’s love of music remained a large part of his life. He occasionally played his clarinet at his church and in a few ensembles, when asked. His regular duets with his wife, Laura Jane, playing on the piano, will be fondly remembered by his family, as will his tender prayers, and his interesting, warm-hearted, and (sometimes) colorful stories of times gone by. He was a steadfast, dedicated provider and protector of his wife and family. He enjoyed being a do-it-yourself kind of guy and could always be counted on to take care of whatever was needed or helpful.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Jane Jefferson, children, Donna Jefferson (John Spencer), Leslie Calvert (James), Stephen Jefferson (Kelly), granddaughters, Emily Chandler (William Chase), Kayla Goodenough, Gabrielle Jefferson, Hannah Graves (Dillon) and great-grandchildren, Annie Chandler, Caroline Chandler and Hunter Graves.
Services will be held on May 21, 2026, at 11:00 A.M., First United Methodist Church of Stuart, 1500 S. Kanner Hwy, Stuart, FL. Light lunch reception in the Fellowship Hall, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to First United Methodist Church of Stuart.