"Francis K. "Tubby" Damon, age 85, of Rhinelander, died Sunday, April 17, 2005. He was born on April 29, 1919 in Sherry, Wisconsin to Chester and Ada (Morgan) Damon. He graduated from Waupaca High School in 1938. In 1941, Tubby joined the U.S. Army and served for 4-1/2 years. He served during WWII as a Staff Sergeant with Troop C 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized. He was stationed in North France, Ardennes, and Central Europe receiving a Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Service Medal, and two overseas service bars. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He married the former Dona Smith on September 29, 1951 in Rhinelander. After WWII, he was the chef at Kings Gateway in Land o` Lakes and came to Rhinelander in 1949 to reopen the Court Club, later known as the Pied Piper. He retired in 1988. He started the Northwoods Chapter of the Restaurant Association serving two terms as its president. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He volunteered for the V.F.W.`s Thanksgiving dinners when they were held at the V.F.W. hall. He also volunteered with the D.A.V.`s forget-me-not sales. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Rhinelander Country Club, a ski jumper, hockey player, and pilot. He enjoyed snowmobiling, ice fishing, and woodworking. Tubby wrote a Damon family genealogy book and had traced his family roots back to direct descendants of the Mayflower.

Tubby is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dona; his two daughters, Michelle (David) Hines of Omro and Pamela (Steve) Winchell of Rhinelander; his son, Scott of Rhinelander; his grandchildren, Jody Olson and Carey Durkin of Rhinelander, Kelly Durkin of Menomonie, John and Ryan Hines of Omro, Annie Hines of Eau Claire; and four great-grandchildren all of Rhinelander. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and three brothers.

A memorial service will be held at Hildebrand-Darton-Russ Funeral Home on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 12:00 Noon with Chaplain Dan Rogers of the D.A.V. officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 until Noon. A memorial fund has been established in Tubby`s name. Hildebrand-Darton-Russ Funeral Home, 715-365-4343, is assisting the family with arrangements. Share memories of Tubby on-line at hildebrandfh.com.



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Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home