Donald Barksdale - Obituary

onald McPhail Barksdale (Age 94) of Heritage Harbor passed away peacefully Saturday, December 31, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his parents Stith Dudley and Pauline Carrington McPhail Barksdale, wife Mary Ellen Harrison Barksdale, siblings Nancy Scofield, Stith, Richard and John Mills. He is survived by a daughter Janet Ricks (George)of Odenton; a son, George McPhail Barksdale (Geraldine)of Crofton; grandsons, Matthew Ricks (Collette) of San Ramon CA, Patrick Ricks (Vivian) of Lithia FL and Kevin Barksdale (Lindsey) of Mt Pleasant SC; and five great-grandchildren, Dalton, Mason, Maria, Madison and Isaac Ricks. Don was from Highland Springs VA and joined the National Guard in 1939. His unit was activated in 1941 and he was assigned to Fort Meade, MD. He met his wife Mary Ellen Harrison of Croom, MD when he was in the DC area. They married on March 8, 1943. After his discharge, he began working for the C&P Telephone Company as a lineman. His various assignments included re-cabling the White House during the Truman administration, erecting the National Christmas Tree, and several hurricane missions. After retirement, he volunteered at the National Arboretum and the Anne Arundel Hospital. He enjoyed traveling to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and a paddle boat cruise up the Columbia River with his grandson, Kevin. He made several trips to California and Florida with his daughter to visit his grandsons and their families. He was a member of St Thomas Episcopal Church in Croom, MD Friends and family are invited to celebrate Don’s life on Saturday, January 7 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD from 9 am until his service begins at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. An online guestbook is available by visiting the link on this page.