ABERDEEN - Retired U.S. Marine Corps LTC Don Brasfield, 80, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, at his home in Aberdeen after a long illness. He was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Smithville to James Paul Brasfield and Cora Crouch Brasfield, who preceded him in death. He was a lifelong resident of Monroe County and a graduate of Smithville High School. He joined the U.S. Marines in October 1943. He saw action in Saigon, Tinian and Okinawa, followed by 90 days of occupation duty in North China. After being discharged in 1946, he joined the National Guard, serving until 1986. In later years he was assigned as deputy commander of the 2nd Brigade of the State Defense Force.

In civilian life he retired in 1988 from Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. at Hamilton, where he was personnel manager. After that, he served two-and-a-half years of the unexpired term of a deceased Justice Court judge. He was mayor of Aberdeen in 1991-1996.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at River Bend Baptist Church with Dr. Roy McHenry and Dr. Eldridge Fleming officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Oddfellows Rest Cemetery. Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Waycaster Brasfield of Aberdeen; one son, Craig Brasfield and wife, Cheryl, of Jackson; one sister, Nell Williams and husband, J.W., of Jackson; one brother, Dane Brasfield and wife, Joyce, of Aberdeen; one granddaughter, Georgia; one grandson, Paul; nieces and nephews.