Donald was born to Walter and Ruth Moline on May 29, 1923 in Turlock, California.
He attended Turlock schools, graduating from Turlock High School in 1940. His college career began at Modesto Junior College, before transferring and graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in 1943. Don went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, graduating in 1946. He interned at SF General Hospital, and did his residency at Peralta Hospital, Oakland, and Stanislaus County Hospital in Modesto, California, in general medicine and surgery. While interning at SF General Hospital, Don met a student nurse named Jacquelin Sharp. They married in 1948. He joined the Navy while in medical school, and was called into active duty in 1951. He began his training in Pensacola, Florida as a flight surgeon, and was then stationed in Kodiak, Alaska for the remaining three years, where he worked at the base infirmary and flew all over Alaska serving the health needs of those without medical facilities and personnel in remote areas.
Don moved back to Turlock in 1955 and opened his general medicine practice with Drs. Albert and Eric Julien in the Sierra Building in downtown Turlock. Eventually, he moved to the medical office he built on Delbon Ave. and retired there in 1983. He served for many years on the Emanuel Hospital Board of Directors and the Stanislaus County Medical Society, and was Medical Director for Brandel Manor for twenty-five years.
After retirement, Don and Jackie crisscrossed the United States multiple times in their 5th wheel and traveled abroad several times with Sweden being his favorite destination. During his leisure years, Don especially enjoyed his favorite hobbies of playing scrabble with family members and salmon fishing.
Don enjoyed a special bond with his medical colleagues and patients, his fishing buddies, his lutefisk fans and the many animals he accumulated and cared for during his lifetime. He was tremendously respected and loved by his family and friends from all around the world. He will be greatly missed.
Donald was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Jacquelin, in 2003. He is survived by three children; Judy (John) Jeter, Robert (Pila) Moline, and David (Donna) Moline; 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
A private burial took place on Wednesday, April 2nd at Turlock Memorial Park.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Monte Vista Chapel, 1619 E. Monte Vista Ave. Turlock, California, 95382.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to International Justice Mission (online at IJM.org or PO Box 96961, Washington, DC 20090-6961) or to the charity of your choice.
Please share your memories at
www.AllenMortuary.com
