Donald Graham Hardcastle, G3DGH, 10th August 2017

Donald Graham Hardcastle G3DGH, passed away quietly in his sleep in Harlingen, Texas, USA on Thursday the 10th of August, 2017. He was 96 years old.

Donald was born on the 26th of February, 1921 in Rochdale, England to Harold and Kathleen Hardcastle. Don had a fascination with then-new radio technology, obtaining his ham radio licence at the age of 13 and maintaining his call sign, G3DGH, his entire life. This fascination with radio extended into his service to his country during WWII with the Royal Air Force, serving in Belgium, Russia, and West Africa maintaining and repairing aircraft and ground based communications.

Emigrating to the United States in the early 1950s, Don landed in Houston, Texas and within six months had bought a small television service company in Harlingen, called Central TV. Over the next few years, his company grew to four sales and service stores throughout the Rio Grande Valley. In 1977 he changed careers, becoming a Real Estate Broker and, along with his wife Dodi, owned and operated Sun Valley Realty. He met Eleanor Dolores Jones on New Year’s Eve 1958 and they were married 3 months later on March 28, 1959.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dodi, who died in 1995.

Don is survived by two sons, Brian and his wife Melissa of Dallas, Texas; Chris and his wife Anna of San Antonio, Texas; step daughters Gloria Mills Powell and her husband Don of Olathe, Colorado; and Teresa Mills Dean and her husband Tim of San Antonio, Texas, as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family.

Tribute by Lee Hatfield Jr, K2HAT

Category: Silent Keys