Lt. Col. Donald “Don” Taylor Everett

ROCKY MOUNT - Lt. Col. Donald "Don" Taylor Everett, age 79, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021. Born in Edgecombe County, NC on January 7, 1942, he was the son of the late James Lilly Everett and Eunice Taylor Landin. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Anna Kathryn Everett Don was raised in Wilson County, NC and graduated from Wesleyan College. He was a sales engineer with Communications Technology Corporation. LTC Everett began his military career as an OCS candidate at Ft Knox, KY in March 1966. He served in Vietnam as a Platoon Leader with the 1st Infantry Division and received numerous decorations including The Silver Star, Bronze Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He joined the Army National Guard where he served as commander of the 230th Support Battalion. Upon his military retirement he served 25 years, 5 months and 12 days. Don was an avid trout and flounder fisherman and a more avid conservationist of that natural resource. He was a lifetime member of the Coastal Conservation Association. Don and his wife Christine raised two girls and he taught them to fish at an early age. He had two granddaughters that he enjoyed and later in life he found a new partner, Kay Kirk, who he loved and cared for until his death. He was extremely close to his family and friends and loved to get together to fry fish or barbeque chicken. He had a huge heart and will be missed by many who were fortunate enough to know him. Don is survived by his daughters, Melinda Paige Everett (Benjamin Salemi) of Durham and Julie Everett Williams (Fred) of Raleigh; his granddaughters, Caitlin Salemi and Julie Salemi; his brother, Samuel Everett; his niece, Anita Eason; and his beloved companion of 30 years, Kay Kirk. A Celebration of Don's Life will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Visitation with the family will be follow the service until 4:00 PM in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family is requesting the need for wearing of masks due to health concerns faced around our nation at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Don's memory to NC Wesleyan College, 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 11/4, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Visitation with the family will be follow the service until 4:00 PM in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. Service Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Thursday 11/4, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm A Celebration of Don's Life will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.