Donald A. “Don” Jessup passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2026, after surviving multiple heart attacks in December 2025.
Don’s life reflected the American dream. He was born on March 9, 1932, in Portland, Oregon, to Benjamin “Bennie” Jessup and Marguerete Jessup. He was raised by his mother and her husband Doug Hildreth.
An only child, Don grew up on the outskirts of Portland during the Great Depression, a childhood that helped shape his strong work ethic and determination.
After graduating from Gresham High School in 1949, Don attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. But love for his high school sweetheart drew him back to Portland.
He married Sharleen C. Watters, and together they shared 72 years of marriage marked by love, commitment and partnership.
Their daughter, Diana Jessup Lee, was born during Don’s senior year at Oregon State University.
After graduating in 1957 with a degree in electrical engineering, and a brief employment in Salt Lake City, Utah, Don took a position with Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where their son Daniel C. Jessup was born.
Don later joined Raytheon in Goleta, where he worked on a variety of Department of Defense projects. He then transferred to General Motors (Delco Electronics at that time), where he worked on numerous fascinating projects.
Among his favorites — at least those not restricted by top-secret security requirements — were scuba-diving work in the Aleutian Islands related to ship positioning systems; designing the electrical system for the lunar roving vehicle; and training astronauts to drive the “moon buggy” while wearing their spacesuits.
When GM moved Don’s unit to Michigan, he tried his hand briefly as a real estate broker before joining North American Weather Consultants. He subsequently worked at Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier (EG&G), until he retired.
In retirement, Don “worked” for Sharleen as she continued her beloved real estate career, and tended his avocado orchard.
He also enjoyed flying his Cessna Turbo 182 RG. He flew many monthly trips to Guaymas, Mexico, transporting doctors, nurses and other assistants to a free clinic in a remote location.
As a member of the volunteer Aero Squadron, Don enjoyed taking the sheriff to Sacramento and flying surveillance missions over the Santa Barbara backcountry. Don and Sharleen also enjoyed many fly-in vacations with the Aviation Country Club.
Don and Sharleen owned a cabin in Mammoth, where he loved hiking with their dog, Honey Bunch. They later built a second home in Crooked River Ranch, Oregon, where he continued to enjoy hiking.
Don and Sharleen were founding members of Goleta Presbyterian Church, and members of La Cumbre Country Club.
In 2013, they moved to Rogue Valley Manor in Medford, Oregon, and returned to Santa Barbara in 2016 to live in a home at Valle Verde, which they called “the perfect location.”
The family is deeply grateful to the staff and nurses at Valle Verde, to nurse Aretha Curran at Assisted Home and Hospice Care for her exceptional care, and to the attentive caregivers at Love & Care.
Don is survived by his wife Sharleen; daughter Diana Jessup Lee; son Daniel C. Jessup; grandchildren Lorraine Haynes, Allison Lee, Andrea Ridgell (Nathan), Adam Lee (Margaret), Taylor Jessup (Janelle), Kevin Jessup (Andrew), Brian Jessup (Haley); and many great grandchildren and neighborhood kids.
He was preceded in death by his mother Marguerete Hildreth and her husband Doug; father Benjamin Jessup and his wives Charlotte and Zelma; son-in-law Richard F. Lee; and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Jessup.
A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Goleta Presbyterian Church, 6067 Shirrell Way, Goleta. If so inspired, you can make donations to AeroMedicos Santa Barbara.