A photo of, l to r, Don, Jim, Colleen, and Nancy.  Nancy passed away in 2017, joining her husband, Dennis Johnson.  Colleen very unselfishly, gave Don one of her kidneys.  He lived almost fifteen years longer with her kidney.

Dad with Kellie and Andy Staker, Kim and Robert Staker's children.  It looks like this was taken at the Airstream Park in Clear Lake, Minnesota.  Exact date, unsure.  

Their son, Donald Jay, shared this photo after Mom's death in June, 2017.  It an excellent shot of both of them.  One can see the love and happiness they shared.    

Dad is holding Heather Lynn Houlding, his first grandchild.

Dad and his sister, Colleen Dorothy Westlin, from whom he received the kidney that extended his life many years.  They were very close.  After his death, Colleen visited with Don's widow, June Dorothy Houlding, until her death in 2017.

This photo was taken by Donald's only son, Donald J. Houlding, on the third anniversary of our father's passing. 

When I first saw this picture on Kim's "timeline", on FaceBook, I had not seen the three of them in over ten years.  I last saw Dad and Mom together in about 1993.  My husband, Tom, and I were living in Saint Cloud and I was working.  Tom was on Social Security Disability, but was working a little.  Neither of us can drive.  I honestly did not recognize any one, even my sister, Kim!  Dad's shirt was familiar, Mom's face a seemed somewhat like her, but Dad was suddenly an old man, and where are the glassses he's had since I was a very little girl?  I guess I'd forgotten that I have aged, too.  He reminded me of his father, a little.  Kim has always been flatter-chested, so that couldn't be her!  I realized that was the closet door in the kitchen at home, her smile kind of looked like Kim, but where are her glasses?  I actually had to convince myself that was my sister and my parents.  I had been away too long.  I missed so much!  I wish I could re-do many things. Kim has grown into a very pretty woman. 

Our Dad was a member of the Naval Air Reserve for many [about 20] years.  He served one week-end a month, plus having to be gone two weeks a year, called a cruise.  He did not have to go to Korea due to having a wife and child, and the fact that, while not quite over, the war was winding down.  It ended in 1953.  His cruises, two weeks a year, took him to many other places.  I know he went to Hawaii, San Diego and New Orleans.  He usually brought back some small item for his three children.  The family still has the Mai Tai recipe he brought back from Hawaii. Dad loved tapiocca, so while in Hawaii he ate poi.  He ate too much, and wound up in his room a lot.  He was a very handsome young man in his dress uniforms.  I am proud to call him my Dad.  I love him very much.  He is the only father I ever knew.