Donald Marshall Bloomer, 94, died on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 in Pensacola, FL.

Don was born and raised in the Corona Section of New York City. He was educated in public schools in NY and briefly attended the Coast Guard Academy until WWII broke out.

After the battle of Midway, he was eligible for the military flight programs, despite not having a college degree. In his lifetime Don would obtain several college degrees and an online law degree. His flight training took him to Ill. and then Corpus Christi, TX where he earned his wings in early 1944. He became part of Marine Squadron VMB 611, which would become the only PBJ Squadron to operate in the Philippines during WWII. However, Don would earn the Distinguished Flying Cross in the Korean War, where he flew a rescue operation to pick up injured Marines on a frozen river in adverse weather conditions. Don went on to retire from the Marine Corps as a Major in 1964. For the rest of his life Don was proud to identify as a US Marine. He also continued to fly, teaching flying at the Pensacola Navy Flying Club. He flew planes well into the 1970's. He worked a second career with the State of Florida as a Probation / Parole Officer and then as a Vocational Rehab Counselor. He retired from these jobs to take up farming in 1985. Don moved to Elberta, AL and raised cattle for many years. In addition he took up horseback riding in his 70's and rode until 2017. He married his one love, Evelyn Irene Morrissey in 1947. They had 71 years together. Don and Eve had 7 children all of whom attended catholic elementary schools in various duty stations. All 7 graduated from Pensacola Catholic High.

He is preceded in death by his parents Walter A. & Margaret M. Bloomer; a sister, Dorothy; as well as his sons, Timothy & Michael Bloomer.

Survivors include his wife Evelyn Irene Bloomer; children, James (Sandy), Thomas (Mary), Donna, Barbara (Paul) and Christopher (Andrea); 16 grandchildren; as well as 17 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 3:30 – 7:00pm Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL, with a rosary recited at 3:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am Friday, August 17, 2018 at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at Historic St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, 900 W Garden St, Pensacola, FL. Interment will follow at Prince of Peace Cemetery, in Elberta, AL, with full military honors.