Donald E. McNulty

Donald (Don) Edward McNulty, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Don was born In Fargo, ND on August 1, 1942 to Leo and Jane McNulty (Schmallen). He grew up in South Fargo during his grade school years and then his family, including his sister, Susan McNulty (Majors) moved to North Moorhead. He attended Shanley High School, where he played many sports, including basketball and football – and he was a member of the undefeated 1958 State Football Champions as an offensive tackle, and he still had the scar from shoulder surgery to prove it.

After high school Don attended the University of Detroit for one year, originally studying aeronautical engineering, but then returned to complete his degree in Math at NDSU, where he also was a member of the Air Force ROTC and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During this time, he met Kay Grieve (McNulty), originally set up on a blind date by friends for a military ball. Following graduation in 1964, and commissioning as a 2nd Lt., Don attended pilot training in 1965 and then C-130 training in New Jersey. Don and Kay were married in Fargo at St. Mary’s Cathedral on July 3, 1967 and were then stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey and in Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas. While Don was flying for Strategic Airlift Command, visiting many countries all over the world, they started their family with their daughter, Kelly McNulty (Vaaler) in 1969 and then Michael McNulty in 1973. Don was eventually promoted to the rank of Captain and Aircraft Commander and flew countless missions transporting machinery, equipment and military personnel all over the world, including McMurdo Air Station in Antarctica. He had a map of the world in his office with pins in more than two dozen countries in Europe, Africa, SE Asia and the Pacific, showing his travel and flight routes, which earned him over 2,000 flight hours.

During his time in the Air Force, Don was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which unfortunately cut his military and flying career much shorter than anticipated. Don decided to return to school to earn his teaching credentials and did accounting work for small businesses in the Fargo area for over fifteen years. Don was very active at the Knights of Columbus on Broadway, supporting its programs and social activities and winning many pinocle tournaments and gin rummy games over the years. He was also a member of the Shanley Quarterback Club, supporting Shanley athletics where his children also attended high school, and he and Kay were also season ticket holders for the NDSU Bison football team for many years.

Don and Kay were able to enjoy the Detroit Lakes area with their family, having a cabin on Floyd Lake and eventually building a home on Big Cormorant Lake where they lived for twelve years, until they returned to South Moorhead. The summer memories at the lakes, fishing with family and friends, evening pontoon rides, tubing, hosting an annual family 4th of July BBQ every year, and teaching the kids and many of their friends how to water ski and bait a hook – were activities that Don loved. Opening fishing day in Minnesota was a tradition, as was yelling at the TV during the MN Vikings season, a tradition passed on to both of his children.

As Don was self-employed while Kelly and Michael were young, he was home when they returned from school and was able to attend their t-ball and softball games or other events during the summers. He walked with a cane for many years, but that did not slow him down at all, as he was always in the stands or audiences supporting his kids’ activities along with Kay, from first grade through high school.

Don and Kay eventually turned into snowbirds in 1997, and were able to travel yearly to Mesa, AZ, where they enjoyed the warmer weather, socializing with friends from the Fargo-Moorhead area, and the Chicago Cubs spring training games, which they attended for more than fifteen years.

Over the years Don collected too many baseball hats and Coca-Cola memorabilia – including an old Coke bottle machine at the lake cabin that was always filled for visitors. Don was known for his great smile, a quick wit, strength and perseverance in adversity, love of service to his country, his faith and generosity, and especially his devotion and love for his wife Kay, Kelly and Michael, and his grandchildren and extended family.

He will be remembered by many friends from the communities at Holy Spirit Church where he and Kay were longtime members, Shanley High School, his SAE fraternity brothers, friends from his pilot training class, fellow Knights of Columbus, the St Joe’s Catholic Church community in Moorhead, and classmates from NDSU.

We would like to say a special thank you to all of Don’s caregivers throughout the years in Minnesota and Arizona.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Jane (Schmallen), step-father, Herb Schmallen, and step-brother, Jay Schmallen. He is survived by his loving wife Kay, children, Kelly (Dave Vaaler) and Michael (Jennifer Marcy);grandchildren, Ethan, Lauren, and Anna; sister Susan Majors (Joe).

A visitation will take place from 5:00-6:00 PM followed by a prayer service at 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. Visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 AM followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Donations in Don’s name are preferred to the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.