CATEGORY: Event TYPE: Obituary DATE: 13 Apr 2014 NOTE: Foreman, Donald MEMORAL SERVICE WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS A memorial service for DONALD LEROY FOREMAN will be held on June 6, 2014, at 3:00 PM at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Donald L. Foreman age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday April 13, 2014 in Leesburg, FL. He was born in Vancouver, WA and moved to the Leesburg area in 2002 from the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area, where he had lived for over 22 year with his family. Don was a Navy carrier pilot during World War II (1942-1945), and the Korean War. He also served as a backup pilot for the Blue Angels Squadron. During his time as a fighter pilot, he saw many battles and engagements in the Pacific Area, and even though he went on to live a life bursting with excitement and great achievement, his true love was always his time piloting a Navy Corsair. At the end of the Korean War, he left the Navy and became the Stadium Manager for the New York Yankees (1953). He confessed to knowing little about baseball and stadium management at the time, but Don had a keen intellect and a God¿ given gift for planning and logistics, which made him a perfect f it for such a position. Opportunity persuaded him to leave the New York Yankees, to serve as the manager of Love Field airport in Dallas, Texas, where he would also manage the American Airlines Stewardess College. In 1961, baseball came calling again, as he was recruited by Walter O'Malley to come to California and help build Dodger Stadium as Director of Stadium Operations for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the California Angels for five years, Don was then asked to come to Oakland, CA to be the Director of Stadium Operations for the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Complex during some of the most exciting playoffs and World Series in history. He oversaw the enormous operation of the Oakland Raiders, Oakland A's, and Oakland Seals. Also hosting countless stage shows with World Famous Producer, Bill Graham. Concerts from Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Willie Nelson, The Supremes, to Jimmy Hendrix, and other greats of the 60's, 70's. Other feats included hosting the Barnum and Bailey Circus in the day, and a rock or ice show in the evening. In 1970, Mr. Foreman joined the San Francisco Giants as Director of Stadium Operations and then went on to become Vice President, a position he held until retirement. Don met his wife, Helene, when they were both flying for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. During their marriage , they literally traveled and cruised the entire globe many times, experiencing some of the most beautiful and astounding sights on earth, including touring the Taj Mahal, climbing the Great Wall of China and climbing the mountains of New Hampshire. In recent years, Don enjoyed tinkering with cars, building model airplanes for planes he once flew, and assembling countless jigsaw puzzles depicting his adventures. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife and companion of 64 years, Helene Foreman, son, Dr. Douglas Scott (Rosalyn) Foreman of Warwick, RI, daughter, Kimberly Ellen Foreman of The Villages, FL, 4 Grandchildren, Douglas Scott Foreman, Jr., Kevin Robert Bartholomew, Jeffrey Donald Bartholomew, & Jill Ashley Foreman, and 2 Great-grand children: Seth Hunter Bartholomew and Owen Scott Foreman. All are welcome to attend the memorial ceremony, and arrangements are under the Direction of Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Leesburg, FL.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel from May 28 to June 1, 2014 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/orlandosentinel/obituary.aspx?n=Donald-Foreman&pid=171148682#sthash.Qp6ztTPg.dpuf PLAC: Leesburg, FL