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Light a Candle
Donald J. Rizzo, 81, died peacefully on February 11th, 2020, surrounded by his family. Don was a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, a devoted husband, loving father and doting grandfather. Don was born on October 6th, 1938 in Syracuse, New York to Dominic and Anne Rizzo. While in the Air Force, Don flew over 375 combat missions with top secret clearance as both a Navigator from 1963-1964 and a Pilot from 1967 through 1973. He came through the ranks as an enlisted electronics tech working on B-52’s in 1959, completed aviation cadets in 1961 when he received his commission and Navigator wings. After his first tour in Vietnam, he taught Navigation as an instructor while awaiting his Pilot training (Graduating Class of 67D). As an Air Force Pilot, he flew KC-135 refueling tankers and achieved the rank of Major in his military career. Don was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and 14 additional Air Medals. He married Jean Giacobbi in 1965 in Syracuse, New York and they were stationed in many cities across the US. After his military service, Don and Jean moved to Richardson, Texas where they raised their three daughters. Don was a renaissance man who had many careers throughout his life, working as a stockbroker for DuPont Walston owned by Ross Perot, a successful real estate broker, and a real estate manager with Paul Stringer Realtors. He briefly drove as a truck driver for JB Hunt throughout the country and reveled in his wanderlust once more. Don then went back to school where he received his undergraduate degree in 1993 from The University of Texas at Dallas at age 55. Following in the footsteps of his father, Don then earned his J.D. Degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1997, at age 59. He finally retired after serving as an Adjudications Officer for the US Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service. A self-taught musician, Don loved to play the accordion and the piano. Up until November 2019, Don enjoyed playing the piano for patrons at the Driskill Hotel and taught piano lessons to fellow veterans at the Austin VA. He was also an amazing Italian cook, loved to entertain and was a huge sports enthusiast. He especially loved to watch the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He is predeceased by his parents, Dominic and Anne Rizzo and his son in law Russell Nettles. He is survived by his wife, Jean, who he remarried in 2018 and his three daughters, Karen Rizzo Nettles, Kristine Rizzo Holden and husband Lee Holden, Michele Rizzo Giblett and husband Daniel Giblett and his three precious grandchildren Marleigh, Connor and June Giblett along with several nieces and nephews. A military service with full honors will take place on Friday, March 6th at 1:00 pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209. A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, March 7th at Michele and Daniel Giblett’s home between 3:00pm - 6:00pm located at 7221 Magenta Lane, Austin, TX 78739. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to St.David’s South for their care and compassion during Don’s stay. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Don’s favorite charities in his honor, Veterans of Foreign Wars (vfw.org) and The American Cancer Society (cancer.org). If prompted for a recipient email or address, please use rizzo.jean@gmail.com or Jean Rizzo 8701 Escarpment #11, Austin, TX 78749.
