Donald W. Gresham, age 75, a longtime resident of Concord, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children at the Bedford VA Hospital on August 2, 2024. Don suffered for over 15 years from the effects of Agent Orange and jet fuel exposure during the Vietnam War. He was a resident at the Bedford VA Hospital for more than 11 years due to his condition.

Born on September 18, 1948, Don was raised in Rome, GA where he picked cotton among several other jobs as a teen. Being an enterprising young man, he learned that a few rocks in each cotton-filled bag yielded higher profit for him! He enlisted in the Air Force when he was 18 and immediately started his military service at Lackland AFB in Texas. He eventually found himself stationed in Thailand where he worked with jet fuel storage, fuel tank cleaning and where he was exposed to Agent Orange. He got out of the Air Force at Hanscom AFB in Massachusetts, and eventually became the Liquid Fuels/Hazardous Waste Supervisor there for the next 29 years. Don was a member of the Air Force Honor Guard throughout his time in the service. He met his future wife at a dance at Hanscom.

Don was proud to be a Veteran. He was a co-founder of the David R. Woodin Post 10336 VFW in Concord, where he sat on many committees and served as the Post Commander. He was honored to carry the American flag in many Patriot's and Memorial Day parades.

In addition, he also worked with the Concord Cub Scouts and Little League. He was an avid collector of toy car and truck collectibles. He loved to watch Nascar racing and the Patriots. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed a good prank or two on his co-workers at Hanscom. Don occasionally bowled in a couple leagues at Hanscom with his wife, and he enjoyed going to concerts. He eventually learned to love the Beach Boys as much as Nancy does! He developed a passion for travel and enjoyed "mystery" trips his wife planned for him. While he didn't swim, he loved the Caribbean Islands but Alaska had to be his favorite place on earth.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Nancy (Krueger) Gresham of Concord and their two children, Tracey (Jay) O'Neill of Dunstable and SMSgt Greg Gresham of Warner-Robbins, GA. He had two grandchildren, Isla and Jonah O'Neill, and several nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and nephews.  Don's parents were the late Dorothy (Penson) and Eugene Gresham. His last living sibling is his sister Faye Cooper. He was the brother of the late Glenda Gatlin, Martha Paris, Eugene, Ronnie and Anthony Gresham, all from Rome, GA.

Don will be greatly missed by family and friends, but he's truly in a better place where he can stretch out and lie down in greener pastures.

Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Monday, August 12 from 4 to 7 pm at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Don's funeral service will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 9:30 am in the Farrar Chapel of the Dee Funeral Home. Burial with full U.S. Air Force military honors will follow at 1 pm in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon. The American Legion Riders will escort Don's hearse on his final journey to his place of rest.

Concord's Town Flag will fly at half-staff on August 13, 2024 in honor of Don's faithful military service.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Don's memory to Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnel to Towers Foundation .

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.