Donald P. Pemberton

Donald P. Pemberton was born April 2, 1930 in Dilworth, Oklahoma to Lonnie W. “Buck” Pemberton and Frances Katherine “Kate” McDonald Pemberton.  He grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas and attended Rock School in rural Oklahoma, Lincoln School in Blackwell, Oklahoma, Palco Elementary School in Palco, Kansas, a rural school near the family’s lease in Kansas, Zurich School in Kansas, and graduated from Palco High School in Palco, Kansas in 1948.

In December of 1948, he enlisted in the US Air Force and served for over 20 years as an aircraft maintenance technician, inspector and superintendent.  He was stationed in Texas, Illinois, Guam, Okinawa, Montana, California, Alaska and Vietnam, retiring in March 1969 as a Chief Master Sergeant.  He earned the NCO Academy Graduate ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and Bronze Star.

On July 15, 1952 he married Alma Lorraine Augare at the Holy Family Mission in Two Medicine, Montana, and they were married for 51 years before her death in 2003.  They raised twelve children, Peggy, Toni, Frances, Jim, Dana, Loyce, Jeana, Tillie, Jodie, Mike, Chuck and Richard.

After he retired from the Air Force, Don and Alma moved to Browning and Don worked as a mechanic at a sawmill, owned and operated a gas station, worked at Hoyt Chevrolet, worked at Napa Auto Parts, and drove bus for School District 9.  He was a member of the Browning Volunteer Fire Department for many years, serving as Chief and Fire Marshal.  He also served for six years on the Browning Public Schools Board of Trustees.

Don was a life member of Franklin Juneau Post 127 of the American Legion, and served as post commander and post adjutant. Don was a very active member of the post and assisted with the White Cross program, Adopt-a-Highway Program, post fundraising, and served as a member of the honor guard for many years and at many veterans’ funerals.  He was also active on a state and national level, serving as Department Commander for the Montana American Legion in 1993-1994, assisting with Boys State and Oratorical Contest, and attending several national conventions.

In addition to the American Legion, Don was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of American 40 & 8, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (US Unit), Kentucky Colonels and The Retired Enlisted Association.

Don is survived by his daughters Peggy Harwood, Toni (Cliff) Gray, Dana Pemberton and Loyce (Steve) Barcus of Browning, Frances (Jack) Kittson of Babb, Jeana Dubray Rowe of Spokane, WA, Twila (Ted) DuBray Lee of Cut Bank; sons Jim (June) Pemberton of Two Medicine, Michael Last Star of Denver, CO, and Richard Pemberton of Havre; sisters Peg Lawson of Newkirk, OK and Nelda Ruth Starr of Breckenridge, TX; brother-in-law Wishie Augare of Heart Butte; 32 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Alma, Don was precede in death by his parents, sons Melvin “Jodie” Last Star, Jr., Donald C. “Chuck” Pemberton, brother Jack W. Pemberton and sisters Billie Trenary and Loyce McDaris.

A wake for Don will begin on Saturday, September 13 at the Veterans Memorial Arbor in Browning.  The Rosary will be 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 16, also at the Veterans Memorial Arbor.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 17 at the Holy Family Mission, followed by military graveside committal at the Mission Cemetery on Joe Show East Rd.   In accordance with Don’s wishes, donations to the Alma Pemberton Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Dana Pemberton, are suggested in lieu of flowers.