CAKERN-L Archives

From:
Subject: OBIT: HAZLETT, DON WAYMOND
Date: 7 Aug 2006 14:12:12 -0600

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Classification: Obituary

Message Board URL:

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/11418

Message Board Post:

Daily Independent newspaper Ridgecrest Ca Kern County
February 26, 2006

DON WAYMOND HAZLETT 1945-2006

Don Waymond Hazlett, 60, of Plattsmouth, Neb., formerly of Ridgecrest, died Wednesday Feb. 8, 2006 at home.
He was born Apr. 6, 1945 in Artesia to Cecil John and Modeane Esther (Braddock) Hazlett.
On Aug. 3, 1962 he married Judith Ann Chappell in Huntington Beach. They were divorced September 1970. July 18, 1971 he married Bonnie Jean countryman in Pomona.
Don spent most of his early life in Huntington Beach where he attended Huntington Beach High School. His father died when he was a toddler so "Dad" was his stepfather, Walter Beene with home he enjoyed a close, loving relationship. He grew up in a family where riding Harleys, "souping up" cars and street racing were interwoven with hunting, fishing and gold mining to make up the fabric of their lives. Don's early love of care, espeically engines, led him to a lifelong occupation in vehicle repair. Soon mastering the skills of automotive machining while working in the machine shops of curtis and christenson and Orange County Auto Parts, both in Southern California, his civilian life was interrupted upon receiving a "greetings" from "Uncle Sam."
He served in the US Army from April 1966 to april 1968. stateside he received basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and was station at Fort Sill, Okla. with 1st Ordinance Company, then 225th HEM (heavy equipment maintenance). In Vietnam he was in charge of the unit's motor pool at the rank of E5/Spec 5 with 9th Infantry Div., 9th signal Battalion, Co. B. Enemy action during that year included the Tet Offensive.
After his discharge, Don returned to live in Westminster where he met and married Bonnie. He resumed rebuilding and remanufacturing enginees at O.C. Auto Parts, then Bolsa Engine Rebuilders and Ellsworth Truck and Auto Machining.
From July 1977 to September 1984 he worked at Carmenita Truck Center in Santa Fe Springs as a heavy-duty mechanic where he advanced to the position of top troubleshooter for cummins engines. during his employment there he further improved his skills through a number of specialized instruction courses and also qualified for membership in the detroit Deisel Craftsman guild in 1980 with the second highest score in southern California.
From February 1985 to June 1999 Don and bonnie owned and operated their own repair shop. Desert Diesel Truck and Auto in Ridgecrest where he performed his mechanical "magic" on all sorts of vehicles ranging from foreign sports cars and various compact autos to 18-wheelers and offroad construction equipment.
In Omaha, Neb. he worked as a heavy-duty line mechanice for Omaha Truck Center for three years and Merit Transportation for two years, retiring due to disability March 2005. Professional certifications earned also included ASE Truck Master Technician.
Besides fixing things, nearly anything and everything Don enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family while hunting, fishing or just camping out. He relaxed indoors watching old movies, listening to music and collecting oil lamps. Don took great pride in exacting of himself the highest level of professionalism in his trade, both in business ethics and quality of work. Even more important was his love of a close-knit family, having been raised in one and continuing the tradition with his own wife and children. He will be missed by many.
Survivors include his wife Bonnie of Plattsmouth, Neb., son and daughter-in-law David and Crystel Hazlett with grandchildren Derrick and Hayley of South Bend, Neb., daughter and son-in-law Debbi and Mike Cook with grandchildren Mikayla and Jimmy of Plattsmouth, Neb., mother-in-law Martha Countryman of Lincoln, Neb., stepbrothers and sister-in-law Tom and Lynn Beene of Las Vegas, Nev., don Beene of Ridgecrest, three nieces and four nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father (1947), mother (1983), stepfather (1987) and infant daughter Catherine Louise (1975).
Memorial service was Saturday Feb. 11 at Roby Funeral Home Chapel, Plattsmouth, Neb. with the Rev. Michael McGrego officiating. Terry Little sand "They Call the Wind Mariah," "Ghost Riders in the Sky," "Go Rest High on That Mountain" and "Poor Wayfaring Stranger". "Hot Rod Lincoln" was played on CD.
He will be buried in Desert Memorial Park in Ridgecrest Wednesday March 1, at 11 am with The Rev. Bill Wilson officiating graveside services.
Memorials may be directed to donor's favorite charity.
Local arrangements by Holland & Lyons, Ridgecrest. Media information provided by the family.

This thread:

• OBIT: HAZLETT, DON WAYMOND by