Donald F. Boore

Sgt. Maj. Donald F. Boore, 79, of Frederick, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington. Born May 4, 1931, in Baxter, W.Va., he was the second oldest of six children of the late Oren and Naomi Boor. He was the beloved brother of Nancy West and husband, Lawrence West, of Bridgeport, W.Va., Lila Mercer and husband, Robert Mercer, of Fairmont, W.Va., Doris Binnix and husband, Jack Binnix, of Bucyrus, Ohio, John Boore and wife, Ramona Boore, of Dunnelon, Fla., and Linda McKain and husband, James McKain, of Advance, N.C. He loved his parents and siblings dearly, and always enjoyed returning to his West Virginia home, where he and his siblings would often gather to sing songs and reminisce about earlier times, enjoy pepperoni rolls while watching Mountaineer football and spend time with family and friends. He was the beloved husband and soulmate of Rosemarie Boore. They met on a blind date when he was stationed in Germany, and enjoyed 45 wonderful years together before his untimely passing. He was and always will be her Schatz, her treasure, her cherished partner and her hero. He was the immensely loved father of Rebecca Dent of Jamestown, N.Y., Michael Boore of Hardy, Va., Carol O'Neel of Frederick, and Nancy Boore of Suwanee, Ga. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Michelle Dent, Melanie Whitson, Brian Boore, Caitlyn O'Neel, Meaghan O'Neel, Molly O'Neel and Claire O'Neel. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews who loved him greatly. Sgt. Maj. Boore was a highly decorated veteran, having served his country proudly for almost 30 years in the Army. He began his service as a young paratrooper in K Company, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He served with the 187th in the Korean War, and was awarded a Bronze Star with V device for valor, as well as a Purple Heart. He later joined the Special Forces and served with 10th Group and Detachment A, Berlin Brigade in Germany, and 5th Group in Vietnam. He was a soldier's soldier, always serving his country and the Army with immeasurable pride and distinction. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Association. He was also a member of the Purple Heart Association, the Korean War Veterans Association, the American Legion, the Special Forces Association, the Sons of the American Revolution and the German Edelweiss Club. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at Keeney and Basford, P.A., Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 16, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 E. Second St., Frederick. The Rev. Richard Gray will be the celebrant. Interment with full military honors will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Va. Those wishing to attend should be at the administration building within the cemetery by 8:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project either online at WoundedWarriorProject.org, or by mail at Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy., Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Online condolences may be shared at KeeneyBasford.com