GILFORD-----Donald 'Don' 'Sibby' Arthur Sibson, USAF Colonel (Ret.), slipped the surly bonds of earth and headed west, on Monday, March 1, 2021, at the age of 87.
Don was born in Claremont, NH, on February 25, 1934, to Helen T. McKenna and Arthur O. Sibson.
He graduated from Laconia High School in 1952 and enlisted in the USAF, receiving his commission and pilot’s wings in 1954. His military decorations included the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, and 19 Air Medals. His career included flying B-47 and B-52 strategic deterrence missions during the Cold War and F-100 forward air control missions during the Vietnam War. While in the Air Force, Don earned a BS and MS from the University of Colorado. In 1959, he married Virginia 'Lee' Wiley of Laconia, with whom he shared one daughter, Elizabeth.
Don served his country for 26 years and retired in 1980 to Gilford, NH, where he enjoyed sailing, skiing, serving the town of Gilford, and many adventures with his grandchildren. They carry on his passions on Lake Winnipesaukee each summer and on ski slopes across the country each winter. He inspired his grandsons to serve, one as an engineering officer in the US Navy and one as an aviator in the US Marine Corps.
Don is survived by his wife, Lee, of Gilford, daughter Elizabeth Sibson-Tuan and her husband, Bert Tuan, of Piedmont, CA, and four grandchildren, Parker, Cordelia, Charles and Virginia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Carol Fletcher.
A Private Graveside Service at McCoy Cemetery, Gilford, NH, will be held at a later date.
For those who wish, the family suggests, that memorial donations be made to the Lakes Region Visiting Nurse Association, 186 Waukewan Street, Meredith, NH, 03253.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services and 603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.