Edward Donald Bassett

Edward Donald Bassett, 89, better known as Don, Dad and Opa passed away Saturday, September 19, 2015 peacefully in his own bed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Don was born July 12, 1926 to Elsie Brunton and Floyd August Bassett in Niagara Falls NY. Don entered the Navy in 1944 during WWII as an Aviation Ordnance man, where he served on a long list of vessels and was stationed in various bases throughout the world. He met his beautiful bride, Jean after the war and they married in 1950 in Niagara Falls Canada. In 1968 Don moved to Germany as an insurance sales rep, then began a long career working for the Department of Defense at Ramstein and Sembach Air Base. Don loved to spend time with his family and friends, and was actively involved in golf, skeet shooting, rebuilding transmissions, and traveling. Don retired and moved to Winter Haven Florida in 1992and kept busy with his hobbies and giving his time generously through volunteer work for many years as a Volunteer Tax Assistant for the elderly, and as a Guardian ad Litem for the Speak Up for a Child program. In May 2015, following the death of his wife Jean, Don moved to Albuquerque, NM to be close to family. Don is survived by his brother Floyd Alan Bassett; his three daughters, Kathi Jones, Christine Bassett Hughes, and Donna Dees and her husband Tony Dees. Don was blessed with six grandchildren, Joel Mason, Jeremy Mason, Jennifer Hughes, Eric Dees, Michael Dees and Nicole Dees, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Rebah Bassett, his wife Jean Eleanor Bassett, his son-in-law Eric Jones, and his grandson Jeremy Mason. One of Don's favorite lines was "This is living the life" and he certainly lived life to the fullest. Although he was a notorious kidder and loved to prank at the dismay of his family, he was also a great husband, Brother, Opa, and above all, THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD! A public viewing will be Saturday, October 03, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., at FRENCH - Wyoming; with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.