Donald George Keast, Col., USMC (Ret.)
February 22, 1931 - January 30, 2022
SAN MARCOS, CA — With the deepest love and respect, we reflect on the life of Colonel Donald George Keast, a life lived to the fullest, with dedication to his family and country.
Colonel Keast was born February 22, 1931 in Upland, CA. He died with his family present on January 30th at his San Marcos home. He attended schools in Orange County and graduated from Fresno State College in 1953. His original plan was to be an art teacher, but Aviation became his Passion. While in college, he enrolled in the Marine Corps’ PLC program and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation. He earned his wings in Pensacola, FL, May 1955.
Throughout his 27-year career, Colonel Keast was a strong advocate for Realistic Air-to-Air Combat Training for fighter pilots. As Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Marine Air Weapons Training Unit, Pacific, at Point Mugu in 1969 (also as Chief Pilot of VX4 Test Squadron) he helped develop and edit the curriculum and syllabus for the initial TOPGUN, Navy’s Fighter Weapons School. The effort resulted in realistic Air Combat Maneuvering in a controlled and safe manner at Miramar Naval Air Station, and for the remainder of the Vietnam War.
During his career, he developed Realistic Airto-Air and Air-to-Ground systems to improve the capabilities and tactics of the F4 Phantom and F8 Crusaders fighter planes, and assisted in the development of Air-to-Air combat scenarios for the F-14 Tomcat. He also developed an all-digital system concept for future fighter pilots and developed, managed and lead USMC introduction of the F-14. He set up the initial concept and programming for the development of Marine Air Weapon Training Squadron.
He flew 200 combat missions in Japan and Vietnam, earned nine Air Medals, flew 33 different aircraft, logged more than 5,500 flight hours, and had 17 carrier landings.
Colonel Keast retired as Commanding Officer of the Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD) at Point Magu in 1978, after which he formed his own property management company, KMC.
In 1989, he married the former Marilyn Heller of Escondido. Together they enjoyed 32 years with family, friends, travel, theater, arts, music, sports and Marine Corp events.
He continued to fly his Cessna T210 Centurion, enjoyed part-time aviation consulting, captained a sailboat, played tennis, golf and his banjo (which recalled memories of his All-Aviator Banjo Band days in Meridian, MS as a flight instructor). He was a member of the Escondido
Kiwanis Club and was a founding board member of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation.
Colonel Keast was preceded in death by previous wife Phyllis P. Madden, and brother Dale A. Keast.
Survivors are his wife, Marilyn; his children, Lori Parlette (Lew); Rand Keast (Mary Ann), and Brett Keast (Kate). Also surviving are stepchildren, Michael Ebeling (Tabitha) and Nicole Ball (Keith); nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also, his sister-in-law, Carole Keast and her four married children and nine grandchildren.
Memorial donations will be appreciated in the Colonel’s name to the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation, PO Box 45316, San Diego, CA 92145-0316, Elizabeth Hospice, 500 La Terraza Blvd #130, Escondido, CA 92025 or to a favorite charity.
A Family Celebration of Life was held Saturday, April 9, with burial at sea.
Colonel Keast’s lifetime motto, whether in the air or on the ground: “It is okay to get scared, but not be afraid.”