DONALD E. FIFER

DOB: May 5, 1933 

End of Watch: April 3, 2008

Age at Death: 74

Born to Dewey Earl and Laura Fifer in Jackson, Michigan, Don graduated from Jackson High School in 1952. He relocated with his family to San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles area, in 1952. He worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corp. until being drafted by the U.S. Army in 1953. After basic training in light weapons Infantry, he was transferred to Germany. There until 1955, he was discharged as a Corporal, Postal Specialist. Don returned to San Fernando Valley and worked at Lockheed and other related Aircraft supply companies , he became active in the Chi Lons car club and San Fernando Valley Timing Association until 1959.

Becoming interested in the field of law enforcement he joined the City of San Fernando's Police Reserve then joined the El Centro, California, Police Department in August 1960. While with the Police Department he taught numerous courses in the Police Academy that the department sponsored at that time. Prior to the Final year of that academy, he both instructed and coordinated the Course content and assigned instructors from various agencies. He received a Life Designated Subjects, issued for life, in Police Science subjects, from the State of California in 1965. Later he also taught classes at Imperial Valley College. Don graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University in 1975. He retired from the Police Department, due to a disability in 1978.

During the 1970's he became interested in motorcycles and began riding. Joining the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club he became President of Chapter X, Imperial County, in 1980. Later transferring to Chapter VI in San Diego.

From 1964 through the early 1990s he served the communities by membership in Lions Club International. Joining the El Centro Host Lions then serving in Various offices of the club including President, prior to transferring to the Torrey Pines Lions Club where he also served a term as club President. After club service and holding numerous District level positions he was elected District Governor of District 4-L6, Imperial - San Diego Counties, for the term 1987-1988. It was during this time span that while attending a Lions convention in Irvine, CA that he met a Lioness Club member from Bonita named Doris Roberts - they married in May, 1985.

In 1980, Don had accepted a position with United States International University and remained there as Director of Security until 1990. Semi-retired he studied for, and obtained, his Real Estate Salesman License to assist Doris with her business. Later that year, they decided this was the wrong field for Don and they purchased a Beer and Wine Bar, The Parkway Bar, in La Mesa. Don managed the business until they sold it in 2004. Don had suffered a massive heart attack in 1996 and was the recipient of a heart transplant, they decided the stress of business ownership might be too much.

In June of 2006, Don decided that he needed to go back to work and was accepted by Sycuan Resort and Casino as a casino Security Officer. He remained there until January 2008 when health problems required that he resign.

Don was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Chula Vista, American Legion, Chula Vista and the VFW, Alpine. He is survived by his wife Doris; son Douglas Fifer, Dallas; daughters Leslie Walton, Stanwood, Washington and Elizabeth Fifer , Imperial, CA.; stepson Mark Hill, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri; stepdaughter Penny Dunne, Queen Creek, AZ

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