Donald Mack Hensley Sr.

1943 - 2021

Donald Mack Hensley Sr. obituary, 1943-2021, Colorado Springs, CO

BORN

1943

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Mountain View Funeral & Cremation

501 N Cascade Avenue

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Donald Hensley Obituary

Donald Mack

Hensley Sr.

March 9, 1943

June 7, 2021



Donald Mack Hensley, Sr., 78, of Colorado Springs, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on Monday, June 7, 2021. Donald was born in Bradley, Arkansas, on March 9, 1943, to Clayton and Adell Hensley.

Donald joined the US Army in 1961 whereupon he devoted 31 years to his country culminating in a distinguished career as both an enlisted man and officer, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Donald is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals. He also had assignments in Korea, Germany, and Panama along with various state-side assignments.

Donald loved his family and was especially proud of his two grandsons and one greatgranddaughter. Donald loved nature, doing crossword and sudoku puzzles, and traveling to see his family in Arkansas and Texas.

Donald met Peggy Knabe while stationed in Oklahoma and the two were wed in 1965. They traveled the world together courtesy of the US Army and had one child, Donald M. Hensley, Jr. Peggy passed away in 1998 after 33 years of a loving and blissful marriage. He met Sheryle Schilbe and they were married in 2003. Sheryle and Donald enjoyed scenic drives together and visiting both Sheryle's and Donald's families.

Donald is survived by his wife, Sheryle, of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his son, Donald Jr and his wife Kim, his grandson, Clayton and his wife Scarlett and their beautiful daughter Palmer, and his grandson, Jesse, all of whom reside in Texas. He is further survived by his sister, Billie Jean, his brother, Roger, both of whom live in Arkansas, and a sister, Patsy, who lives in Alabama, along with many nieces and nephews all of whom he loved and adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Adell Hensley, his brothers CH, Maurice, and Charles, and his sister Bernice.

Prior to his passing, Donald asked that in lieu of flowers anyone desiring to make a gift in his memory send a donation to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Eudora, Arkansas, where his parents, brother Charles, and nephew, Roger Jr., are buried. The proceeds will go toward the building of a pavilion on the cemetery grounds. If desired, send donations to Mt. Carmel Cemetery, P.O. Box 164, Eudora, AR, 71640.

A memorial service will be held for Donald on Saturday June 19, 2021 at 1pm, located at The Road @ Chapel Hills 2025 Parliament Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

Published by The Gazette from Jun. 11 to Jun. 13, 2021.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

On behalf of TREA Chapter 1, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Donald Hensley. Don was my friend, and I enjoyed many an afternoon cold beer and conversation with him. I will miss him greatly. I never served with Don, but knowing his character, I would have been honored to do so.

Lonny Barrett

Friend

June 18, 2021

Thank you for everything, Don. You were my hero from beginning to end. I will forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to know you both near and far. Your amateur Esq. in deed and your friend forever, God bless you and yours. Ron.

Ronald C. Moak

Served In Military Together

June 15, 2021

The Buckley AFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for LTC Hensley's 31 years of distinguished service to our country in the Army. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley AFB at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley AFB RAO

Steve Young

June 13, 2021

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Memorial Events
for Donald Hensley

Jun

19

Memorial service

1:00 p.m.

The Road @ Chapel Hills

2025 Parliament Dr., Colorado Springs, CO

Funeral services provided by:

Mountain View Funeral & Cremation

501 N Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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