Donald Raymond Alvis' Obituary
On Friday, July 27, 2018, Donald Raymond Alvis, loving father of nine children, passed away at the age of 90. Don was born on July 20, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, to James Hudson Alvis and Ethel Stachia (Wilson) Alvis. In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and for the next year served on the LST-1078 USS Proton as part of the occupational forces after World War II, stationed in Tsingtao, China (now Qingdao), in Shandong Province. Don enlisted in the Naval Reserve a few years later and served from 1950 to 1954. During his military service, he was awarded with five medals: World War II Victory Medal, World War II Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign WWII Medal, American Defense WWII Medal, and Navy China Service Medal. After the military, he worked in the railroad industry and finished his career working as a brakeman for the Soo Line Railroad until his retirement. In 1949, Don married his first wife, Beverly June Murphy, and had seven sons, David Mickel, Donald Eugene, James Everette, Mark Stephen, William Dean, Phillip Scott, and Bryan Lee. He married his second wife, Shirley Ann Baker, in 1968 and raised two daughters, Heidi Luann and Hollie Susanne. During his lifetime, Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, playing pool, birdwatching, and spending time with friends and family. He had a snappy sense of humor and big heart, ready to help out anyone in need. Don was preceded in death by his father, James, and mother, Ethel, wife Shirley, sons James and Mark, brother, William, and sisters, Florence, Dorothy, and Lucille. He is survived by his seven children, David, Donald, William, Phillip, Bryan, Heidi, and Hollie, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Don will be buried next to his wife Shirley at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens in Independence, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Don’s name to the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home at 1102 North 1200 West, Ogden, Utah 84404.
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