Donald Forrest Colson

Donald Forrest Colson, 89, passed away on July 20, 2023 in Fort Worth, TX.

Donald was born on June 30, 1934 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Forrest Newton and Ann (Miller) Colson.

He graduated from El Dorado High School, Placerville, CA in 1953, and enlisted in the Army during the Korean War (1954-1955). He was awarded Oustanding Soldier of the month while stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. After he was honorably discharged, Donald was accepted into Heald’s Engineering Institute in San Francisco where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Donald’s 38 year career was with the State of California Water Resources Department (1958-1996). He retired after serving as the Design Chief for Plants and Pipelines. He worked on reconstruction fixes for the San Francisco Bay Bridge, Oroville Dam, and the California Aqueduct project, which provided water from northern California to southern California.

Donald met his wife, Marilou in Placerville, CA in the summer of 1953 and they were married in Fayetteville, NC in 1954. They enjoyed a 68 year marriage and had two children, Eric Forrest and Lori Ann.

Don enjoyed many hobbies and sports. He loved snow skiing in Lake Tahoe, raced dirt bikes in his young adult life, and he played tennis into his 70s. He enjoyed training his 3 Labrador Retrievers, and liked taking them hunting with his son, Eric. Don enjoyed collecting and learning about guns with his son-in-law Matthew. He was a big history buff. After retiring, Don enjoyed writing, he authored 7 books.

Don was a born-again Christian. He loved reading the Bible, and studied it extensively. He especially liked to listen to Bible scholars. Don was proud that his wife and children were also saved. He believed in the Great Commission and wanted to share the Gospel with others.

Don and Marilou spent the majority of their marriage living in Sacramento, CA. They decided in 2023 to live the remainder of their years near their daughter and her family in Fort Worth. But shortly after they arrived Don’s illness worsened. He died peacefully with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law at his bedside.

Donald is survived by his wife, Marilou; daughter Lori; son-in-law Matthew; granddaughters Shannon, Kathryn, Allison, Rachel, and Sarah; great-granddaughter Lorelei; and his younger brothers Dale and Phillip. He was proceeded in death by his son, Eric; and his parents.