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Here's a shot of the same class as the USCGC CLOVER, where Don was Executive Officer. Then, Quarters O-36, US Naval Station, Adak, where we lived. Rita, as Fidel Castro, at an O-Club party, when he was "in vogue". Lastly, Donnie at 5 months and at 9 months. He was a beautiful, happy baby.
Donnie at the radar of the CLOVER. THE Alaskan brown bear skin, which was in the family for many years; it's now on the wall of Donnie's home in Dallas. Don cut hair for years (everyone cheered when he retired as barber). Incredible Alaskan salmon fishing.
Donnie & his Dad & Mom. Don visited villages in Alaska - here's Kotzebue. New Orleans, La David, our wonderful second son, was born here, grew up fast and fought hard to stay up with Donnie.
Don was a USCG Marine Inspector of ships and barges, worked issuing merchant marine licenses, and was an Investigating Officer. One of his large cases was the tragic collision of the MV BOHEME and the towboat BONNIE D with a tow of crude oil. Twenty-three people perished in the collision and fire on the Mississippi. You can see how happy David was in his Halloween costume! Donnie and Dave were a delightful twosome as they played in the neighborhood. Washington, DC and Grand Haven, Michigan
Then, Don became Commanding Officer, USCGC WOODBINE, a 180' buoy tender, like the CLOVER, homeported in Grand Haven, Michigan. Don took Donnie & Dave on several trips on Lake Michigan, but they always seemed to be in bad weather. Rita was a very active Mom, putting together fashion shows and even acting in little theatre. Grand Haven (Coast Guard Town USA) treated us as family. We enjoyed the annual CG Festivals.Notice Grandpa Tony DiVito, with the fort in the background. We carried it from NOLA, and then built one for Dave's kids in Virginia. The last shot is the outside skating rink we built. Brrrrrr... Cleveland, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois Then it was on to Cleveland for a year of Marine Industry Training and the Chicago as XO, Marine Safety Office, Chicago, for three years. Those were good camping years with the "big tent". Rita finally drew the line on primitive camping. Chicago was not our favorite station, although the boys did well in school. It was a cold, tough town. Christmas 1968.
St Petersburg, Florida Then, in 1970, we transferred to sunny St. Petersburg, Fl., where Don took command of the USCGC STEADFAST, an almost new 210' Cutter. We patrolled off the Bahamas and ran fisheries patrols off New England. We enrolled Dave and Dennis in Northside Christian School since they were to be bused across town to a bad school. Here's the letter from Pastor Moon announcing the new Christian school. It all started here! Rita's heart was touched for Jesus when she attended the 7 September 1971 PTA meeting. We began ttending Northside Baptist Church. Our lives changed here as The Lord, in His graciousness, gave us His free gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10). PTL. Our lives were changed forever! Dad was later called to serve in Christian schools out of gratitude to Him. Here's the STEADFAST and other shots.
Cleveland, Ohio
1202 Homeland Drive, Rocky River, was a wonderful family home. One Christmas tree was so large we all had to drive it through the front door with a run from across the street! The door frame probably still has the scrapes; Rita was less than pleased. Don was on the Marine Safety staff at CCGD9, and then became CO, Marine Safety Office, and Captain-of-the-Port, Cleveland. The America marine industry was in full swing then-not so good now.
We served at Columbia Rd Baptist Church as deacon and Sunday school teachers. Who can forget Rita's group, "The Jesus Generation" and the bus ministry with the Purple People Picker-Upper! It was hard work, but many came to Christ. Rita directed the choir - yes, even got Don into it briefly. Rita led successful Bible studies and continued to see people accept Christ. One summer we took off in the blue Plymouth wagon & tent camper and toured Yellowstone and the West. Don advanced in rank to Captain, received orders to a 378' CG Cutter in San Francisco, but decided to retire in 1978 and enter Christian education. He went to Cleveland State in the evenings, taught summer school in Cleveland public schools and received an Ohio Teacher Certification. Donnie entered U. of Cincinnati. It was hard to see him leave but it was time. West Palm Beach, Florida Don took a position teaching math at The King's Academy, W Palm Beach, Fl and the family moved on to a new adventure in Christian education. Donnie graduated from UC, Dave went to Palm Beach Atlantic College, where he loved soccer, and Den graduated from Lake Worth Christian HS, where he enjoyed playing basketball. Don spent summers at Grace Seminary, Winona Lake, IN, and received his Masters in Christian Ed. Christian ed. was an exciting new career - and a bit of an adjustment!
California and Lubbock, Texas We went West and Don ran Christian High Schools in California and then started/ran Trinity Christian High School, Lubbock, Tx. with 12 in the first graduating class. Den entered high end stereo sales and Dave entered banking and insurance. Donnie married his love, Colleen. Sarasota, Florida We picked up again and moved to Florida where Don ran Faith Christian School for several years. Dave married his love, Karen. Donnie went back into the computer chip corporate world and Dennis established a mortgage and real estate company. We now enjoy retirement, but remain active with Christian Coalition and other ministries. We attend a local church.
We regularly visit our Sons, their wives, and our Grandchildren - Sean, Ryan, and Grace (Don & Colleen); Josh, Nate, Jake, Meg, and Asher (Dave & Karen) ; Amy and Amanda (Dennis, unmarried). They're all doing well. PTL.
Our Wonderful G-Children at a family reunion/anniversary. Visiting Cunningham family gravesite in Aultsville, Ont., Canada. Mom struts her stuff - won the hat in a Mummer's Contest. Rep Bill McCollum (Republican. Fl) (he headed Clinton impeachment effort) visits our home & met with our Christian Coalition members. Unfortunately, he subsequently lost his run for the US Senate. He is now the Florida Attorney General. Here's our Sarasota home. Picture with Judge Roy Moore at a a Fl Christian Coalition meeting.
Christmas 2004. We shared a nice sinus infection & stayed home. Boooo.
June 2005 Visit to Cape May, NJ and Dave, Karen & Kids. Great time! First shot is the Cape May beach where Rita & Don first met.
Sea World Luau, Orlando, March 2006, with good friends Tom & Marian Glenn & Mom, Jennie, down from Tenn. They were originally in our Sarasota Home Group. Good to get together.
The Fl Christian Coalition God & Country Dinner - August 2006, Orlando with Sen. Zell Miller speaking.
More recent pictures on our 50th Wedding Anniversary section
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