Donald Judge

Donald Denefe (Don) Judge peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family, at home in Bettendorf, Iowa on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018. He was 85 years old. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 pm Monday, February 19 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 417 Main Street, Davenport. The family will greet friends Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main Street, Davenport.

Don was born to Joe M. and Mary (Denefe) Judge on the family farm in Georgetown, IA and spent his childhood surrounded by many family and friends. His early life centered around St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and school, where he worshipped, studied and spent hours devoted to 4-H activities, softball in the summer and basketball in the winter.

After graduating, Don enlisted in the United States Navy in 1951 and served for four years throughout the Pacific during the Korean War. He remained proud of his military service for the rest of his life although he seldom spoke about it – except to say that when things were especially difficult aboard ship he would “pray to the Good Lord to bring me home safely and I would try to repay Him with Faith.” Don returned from the Navy in 1955 and in the years that followed, he held up his end of the bargain.

Don attended St Ambrose College in Davenport, IA on the G.I. Bill, and graduated in 1960. He remained grateful for his education and in his later years you could often see him wearing his Korean War Vet cap and St Ambrose Fighting Bees lapel pin. After working as an Admissions Recruiter for Ambrose, Don began what would become a long and diverse career in agribusiness – primarily in sales - and he marked this by establishing the Farm Real Estate Division of the Mel Foster Company.

In a life with more than its share of good luck, Don's greatest fortune was meeting and marrying a pretty nursing student from Marycrest College, Carolyn Laurenti. Together for over 50 years, Carolyn had the intelligence, strength and humor to enjoy Don's gifts with relish and accept his faults with patience. Don and Carolyn had 3 children: Tess Judge-Ellis (Alan Ellis) of Iowa City, Tom of Chicago and Joe (Tricia McKay) of Bettendorf and 4 grandchildren. A natural grandfather, Don took great pleasure in celebrating his grandson Joseph Ellis' induction as an Eagle Scout, cheering his grandsons Sam and Charlie Judge at baseball, and doing whatever amused his granddaughter Kate Judge. In addition to these pastimes, he also enjoyed rounds of golf with his cronies - often at the old Rock Island Arsenal Golf and Country Club - and was never more content than when playing a game of low stakes euchre at The Circle Tap or gin rummy at the Elks Club.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Don’s life continues to be celebrated by his sister Dorothy (Jerry) Magrane and numerous, much-loved nieces and nephews, cousins and sisters and brothers-in-law, as well as friends far and wide. Don’s passing was preceded by those of his parents, Joe and Mary Judge, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Lorraine Judge and Phil and Elsie Judge and many uncles, aunts, cousins and special friends who helped guide and enrich his journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, the National Fragile X Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Visitation

Sunday, February 18, 2018
Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home
614 Main Street Davenport, IA 52803

Mass of Christian Burial

1:00 PM ,Monday, February 19, 2018
St. Anthony Catholic Church
417 Main Street Davenport, IA 52801