Don Coburn

Don Coburn, 76, longtime Brainerd, Cross Lake, Pine River resident, lost his year-long battle with cancer on Dec. 16, 2012, while hospitalized near his winter residence in Punta Gorda, Fla.

He is survived by his wife, Zita; son, Kevin, Las Vegas; daughter, Donna Turner (Larry), Yuma, Ariz.; and grandson, Joe Coburn, Las Vegas.

He retired in 1994 after 19 years as administrator in Pine River. The last 10 years he was a high school and middle school principal. Before that he was a teacher and coach.

He was a graduate of Mount Iron High School and St. Cloud State University and later earned masters and specialists degrees from North Dakota State University.

The family is planning a memorial service in Pine River in August to be followed by a military burial ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.