Donald John Cestari

Donald John Cestari, Tulsa resident, passed away early Monday morning, July 12, 2021, at the age of 75 years. He was born on Friday, June 28, 1946, in New York, NY to his parents, Alfred and Annette (Sesco) Cestari.

Don was a 1964 graduate of Division Avenue High School in Levittown, New York. He attended St. John's University and was awarded a BS degree in Management Science. Don put his education on hold to serve his country. However later in life, Don would be awarded an MBA degree in Management and Finance from Southern Illinois University, and his Juris Doctor of Law from the University of Tulsa.

Donald proudly served our country for over twenty years, retiring as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Don served on active USAF duty in various positions in maintenance support and material worldwide. For 1975-1980, he was competitively selected to be Air Force One's Maintenance and Material Support Officer, which also included supporting the assorted VIP fleet of 43 other aircraft. During the period of 1980-1991 he served as a reservist in the United States Air National Guard in various operations support positions in a tactical fighter group.

After retiring from the Air Force, Don started his second career in the Aerospace/Aviation Industry spanning thirty plus years where he worked for Grumman, McDonnell Douglas, American Airlines including its SABRE Division, CITGO's Corporate Flight Department, along with Boeing, AIRBUS, British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce among others. In 2004, Don played an integral part in the creation of Consolidated Air Support Services, LLC ("CASS") as a founding Partner. He was a CASS Senior Partner, Chief Operating Officer and served as the CASS Chief Counsel.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life." This quote sums up Don's career- he truly loved his work.

His hobbies included spending as much time as he could with his grandchildren. He had an insatiable desire to always learn something new. Don enjoyed reading about a wide range of topics- history being his favorite. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed shooting at the gun range. He also enjoyed going fishing. Don was involved with his church for many years. He loved to travel for pleasure or business.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Annette Cestari.

Don leaves many loving memories with his family, daughter Samantha Zeller and husband, Kevin; daughter Sandra Cestari; grandchildren, Blake Zeller, Jarrett Zeller, Juliette Zeller, and Griffin Zeller; brother, Al Cestari and wife Maureen; nieces and nephews, Brian Raboy, Brett Raboy, Michelle Cestari, Hannah McAdow, Mathew McAdow, and Lauren McAdow; sister in law Robin McAdow & brother in law Reverend Mark McAdow; along with many other loving relatives and a host of friends.

Don's abundant generosity, positive outlook, and great stories will be missed by everyone who knew him!

Memorial Service will be held 2:00 PM October 2, 2021, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6767 S. Mingo Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The family requests memorials be made in Don's memory to the Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508; https://www.arborday.org/

Cremation Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com