Damon Southard Sr
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Damon Lavon Southard, Sr. passed away on November 7th, 2022 in Longview, Texas. He was born on August 29, 1936, to Elbert Vaughn and Vera Christine Southard on a farm east of Clarksville, Texas. Damon was married to Sue Ellen (Mandeville) Southard for 60 years. He is survived by Sue, their son, Scott and his wife Karen of Hallsville, Texas; daughter Cindy Blackwell and her husband Scott of Stephenville, Texas; and daughter Kim and her husband Steve of Christoval, Texas. He was known as Papa to his grandchildren.
Damon's father Vaughn was killed in a logging accident October 10, 1938, in Clarksville. Damon lived with his paternal grandparents for several years during World War II and graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas Oak Cliff in June 1955. Damon began serving in the United States Naval Reserve at age 17 while still in high school and served 22 months at Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas. Damon served nine years and two months in the United States Marine Corps Active Reserve and category III Reserve. Continuing his service to his country, Damon also served 22 years and eight days in the United States Air Force Reserve, resulting in a total of 33 years four months and eight days of military service. His military service took him to Switzerland, South Korea, and Hawaii among other places, and after retiring from the military he served in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Damon completed private and commercial pilot training, and thanks to the support and encouragement of his wife Sue, Damon graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in May 1976 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Damon retired from the City of Irving after serving there for 17 years as the Purchasing Manager and another eight years as the Fleet Manager. Damon was fiercely proud of his family and his military service. In lieu of flowers, Damon's family requests donations be made in his name to either the DFW Humane Society at dfwhumane.com or to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.