Donald A. Secory

Donald (Don) Alan Secory, 76, of Gilbert, Az. went home to be with the LORD on April 21, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family after more than eight years suffering with Alzheimer’s disease having been cared for by his family and Hospice of the Valley.

A celebration of his life will be held at Sun Valley Community Church, 456 E Ray Rd., Gilbert, AZ. on May 18, 2024 at 10 a.m. Internment will be held at a later date in Clear Lake Cemetery.

Don was born Aug. 17, 1947, in Chicago, Ill. the first born of Ralph Secory and Catherine (Barber) Secory. He grew up in Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1966, at which time he joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Stationed in Grand Forks, ND, he met the love of his life, Judy Kappedal, while on a trip to Red Lake Falls, Minn. They were married on May 31, 1969, at St John’s Lutheran Church, in Red Lake Falls. After four years in the USAF, Don and Judy moved to Clear Lake where they lived for 34 years. During that time they were blessed with their son, Michael Donald, and two daughters, Brittany Anne and Breanna (Bree) Lacey. Over the years in Clear Lake, they were foster parents and owned and operated B’s Coffee House and Catering. 

In Iowa, Don worked at E.L. Secory Plumbing and Heating in Clear Lake for four years. He was then employed for 30 years by Lehigh Portland Cement Company, in Mason City, retiring in 2004. Soon after, Don and Judy fell in love with Arizona and moved their family to Gilbert where Don enjoyed working as a handyman.

Don had many hobbies including woodworking, snowmobiling, camping, boating, jet skiing, bow hunting, archery, metal detecting, and flying his Powered Parachute.

Don and Judy enjoyed traveling and did so as often as they could.

Don made many friends over the years with his quick wit as he loved making people laugh using humor and clever comebacks. He was kind and generous, too. He and Judy often enjoyed secretly buying a meal for a stranger in a restaurant.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judy; daughter, Brittany Anne Secory; grandson, Aidan Michael Secory; and granddaughter, Andi Grace Secory, all of Gilbert; his siblings, Mike Secory, Linda (Secory) Graff, Pam (Secory) Marsh, Tom (Mary) Secory, Danniele (Secory) (R. J.) Sexton, all of Clear Lake; brother-in-law, Gordon Kappedal, of Burnsville, Minn.; stepbrothers, John Lynch and Bill Lynch; stepsister, Judith (Lynch) Vry; and many beloved extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by son, Michael Secory; daughter, Bree Secory; parents, Ralph Secory and Katie (Catherine) Secory Lynch; stepmother, Karen Secory; stepfather, Russ Lynch; father-in-law, Albert Kappedal and mother-in-law, Agnes Kappedal Westerlund; brother, Steve Secory; sister, Cinda (Secory) Michel; sister-in-laws, Bonnie (Jenkins) Secory, Anna (Kappedal) Newman, Lorraine (Kappedal) Phillips, Bonnie (Book) Kappedal, Mary (Husman) Kappedal, Leona (Berger) Kappedal, Alma (Oftelie) Kappedal, Ethel (Nelson) Kappedal; brother-in-laws, Bob Phillips, Orly Kappedal, Laverne Kappedal, Oliver Oftelie, Seymour Nelson; niece, Erica (Marsh) Benson; and great-nephew, Andrew Schroeder.

Memorials may be sent to the family at: 2125 E. Sherri Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85296.