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The Daily Independent, Ridgecrest, California, Saturday, 2 April 2011
Donald Vincent Bassett
1919 ? 2011
Don Bassett passed away on March 25, 2011, at Ridge-crest Regional Hospital at the age of 91 after a long illness.
Don was born on Oct. 30, 1919 in Hastings, Neb., to Author and Gladys Bassett.
It was often noted that his personality reflected being born on Halloween. Don liked the tease and was at times a rascal. He had six brothers and two sisters, all were raised on the family homestead in Hastings.
Most of his life was spent working as an accountant for civil service in which he excelled. His career took him to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hastings, the Ordnance Laboratory in Corona, the accounting department at the Naval Ordinance Test Station at China Lake, the Naval Air Station in Keflavik, Iceland, Subic Bay Naval Station in the Philippine Islands, and was the accounting division head when he was at San Diego.
While stationed in Subic Bay, he helped refugees from Vietnam. His desire and ability to help those in great need was formally recognized by our government when he was at Subic Bay.
During World War II, Don served in the European Theater with the 47th Machine Records Unit attached to the 9th Army. He spent time in Germany, France, Holland and England along with four of his brothers, who also served in Europe during the war.
This was something Don was very proud of and something he stated that really worried his mother. But all five returned safely at the end of the war.
Don and his wife Opal Jean retired to Ridgecrest in the 1980s to be close to their family and friends. He loved to bake and cook and often could be found cooking at 2 a.m. Every year, all his family would be treated to homemade jellies at Christmas.
He entered his jellies in our local fair and won first place.
He was always building or repairing something at his home and was ready to take on any project.
Don's wife, Opal Jean Bassett, preceded him in death seven years ago. They were married for more than 50 years. All of his brothers, Roger La Vern, Robert, John (Jack), Harold, Howard and William Bassett (who died at birth) preceded him in death. His is survived by his three children Connie Jackson of Torrance, Carole Cannon and Bill Bassett, both of Ridge-crest, and his two sisters Mary Helen of Mazur of Tilton, NH, and Dorese Willis of Rupert, Idaho. Don will be missed by his nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Don's life will be held on April 4 at noon at St. Ann's Church.
1920 Federal Census of Blaine, Adams County, Nebraska (2 Feb 1920)
Arthur L. Bassett - 27 - M - NE-NV-IL - Head - Farmer
Gladys M. - 22 - F - NE-IL-IL - Wife
Roger L. - 3 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
James L. - 1 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
Donald V. - ?/12 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
1930 Federal Census of Blaine Township, Adams County, Nebraska (2 Apr 1930)
Arthur L. Bassett - 38 - M - NE-IL-IL - Head - Farmer Father's Farm
Gladys S. - 33 - F - NE-NE-NE - Wife
Roger L. - 13 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
James L. - 11 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
Donald V. - 10 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
Robert J. - 8 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
John K. - 5 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
Harold C. - 3 - M - NE-NE-NE - Son
Dorene J. - 1-10/12 - F - NE-NE-NE - Daughter
(Married at 24 & 19)
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Bassett Family Association Database
1919 - 2011 (91 years)