DONALD JOHN MCCORMICK | News, Sports, Jobs

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Heaven met a great man on January 22, 2021, when COVID-19 improved beloved father and grandfather, Donald “Don” John McCormick (91). His many friends and family agreed that he may have lost the battle, but in life he won the game.

Don was born in Gilmore City, Iowa to John and Emma McCormick. He was the eighth of 11 children in his family. He graduated from Gilmore City High School in 1947 as valedictorian in the class. Don excelled in wrestling where he was runner-up in the Iowa state high school tournament. In college, he wrestled for powerhouse Iowa State, and participated in Olympic trials. As a student, he studied statistics and committed to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

He served as a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant Finance officer during the Korean War, at the Presidio in San Francisco. Don was a courier for the Army, personally bringing millions of dollars to Japan for payroll for American soldiers serving during the Korean War. In 1954, he moved to California where he worked at Bank of America. He continued there until 1959 with increasing responsibilities in various branches, then joining the federal auditors of savings and loan associations. Established there a career that lasted 30 years and developed many lifelong friends.

He moved his growing family to Westminster, California in 1961 where he was a resident for the next 50 years. Don was a thoughtful neighbor and loyal friend as well as a devout Catholic. He fulfilled many duties while a parishioner at Holy Sacramento Catholic Church in Westminster and then at Saint Barbara Catholic Church in Santa Ana. She is always willing to share her money counting skills and financial expertise in addition to teaching the catechism, reading scripture during mass, and participating in many fundraising events. Most importantly, he will go away for someone in need, regardless of how well he knows them. He enjoys driving friends to medical appointments and picking up neighbors from work. Everything is important to Don, particularly his younger sister Joanne whom he lovingly cared for for almost 20 years.

Everyone who knew him was amazed at both of his character traits: his great sense of humor and his high ethical standards. He imitated honesty and generosity by his dedication to always act with a good conscience. Quickly knowledgeable and good at reading, he is good at crossword puzzles and other word games. He enjoyed hitting links in his 80s, and was often tuned in to watch golf and other sports, especially NCAA basketball and football, which have always been rooted for his beloved Iowa State Hurricanes. .

He is survived by his brother Patrick McCormick (New Smyrna Beach, FL); his children and their wife: John McCormick (Cynthia), Dr. Erin McCormick (Michael Finger), Kelly Lalor (David), Leslie Smith (Dennis); grandchildren: Nikita McCormick, Jacqueline Lalor, Allie Bermudez (Leon), Blaire and Jenna Smith, step-grandchildren Ashley and Kyle Finger, and numerous nieces, nephews, and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 31 at Saint Barbara Catholic Church in Santa Ana, followed by an interment at Good Shepherd cemetery in Huntington Beach.

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