Donald R. Infante 1937-2026

The oldest son of Michael and Fannie Infante, Don was born May 2, 1937, in Youngstown, into a working-class family. His father was a steelworker and his mother a seamstress. He got a job as a busboy at a local Isaly’s dairy store at the age of 14, ending up as night-shift manager during his college years. He graduated from Austintown Fitch High School and, in 1956, received a degree in mathematics from Youngstown State University in the Army ROTC program.

It was at Isaly’s where Don would meet the love of his life, NormaJean Barchie. Don taught mathematics and coached basketball after college graduation. The couple married May 9, 1959, and commenced their life together at Fort Bliss, Texas, where Don began Army service as a second lieutenant. Don would later receive a Master of Science degree in operations research and statistics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1986, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Youngstown State University for outstanding civilian achievement.

Don and NormaJean enjoyed over 30 years of Army life with tours of duty in the United States, Germany, South Korea and Vietnam. When he was promoted to major general, the Infantes returned to Fort Bliss in 1985. From their return until his retirement from the Army, Don served as commanding general of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, and as commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School. In that post, he formulated and executed AirLand Battle doctrine, was the chief architect for air defense modernization planning, and was the Army’s chief user for all air defense weaponry and command and control systems.

His previous Army assignments included air defense project manager for the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where he served as the Army’s chief developer for all air defense weaponry and command and control systems; U.S. Army program manager for the Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile System; deputy commanding general of the 32nd Army Air Defense Command, U.S. Army Europe; and many other posts dealing with the formulation of air and land battle doctrine and the development and fielding of complex weapons systems with extensive expertise in the air defense arena.

Don was a much-loved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, whose compassion, kindness and tenderness warmed the hearts of everyone around him. He prided himself on prioritizing his soldiers’ needs and treating everyone with dignity and respect; he was known as a soldier’s soldier. He is recognized as the father of the Army Air Defense branch, successfully developing and deploying the Patriot missile defense system, which remains in wide international use today.

General Infante retired from the Army on Sept. 1, 1989, after 30 years of service. He then entered the defense industry as the vice president for the Patriot International programs, subsequently retiring after a 16-year second career marketing the Patriot Air Defense System. After retirement Don continued supporting young military families as national chairman of the board of the Armed Forces YMCA. He also had a multi-year career as a defense industry consultant working with and supporting many associates that he mentored over the years.

Between their 30-year career in the U.S. Army and his 16-year career with Raytheon, the Infantes lived in 31 different homes. The couple retired to a Sand Key, Florida, condo in 2002, living on the beach for 10 years. In 2012, they moved to the Regency Oaks Senior Living Community, residing there until their deaths.

Don is survived by his two children, Dean and Renee, who live in Youngstown, and his brother, Bill, of Palm Desert, California. The children reside in a home supervised by Gateways to Better Living. He is also blessed with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death on Jan. 18, 2024, by NormaJean, his loving wife and soulmate for 63 years; his parents of Youngstown; and his brother, Michael of Baltimore, Maryland; as well as many aunts and uncles and cousins.

The family received friends May 14, 2026, at the Sylvan Abbey funeral home in Clearwater, Florida. A celebration of life service is planned for May 30, 2026, at Immaculate Heart of St. Mary, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown. Final interment will occur later with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery and a chapel service at Fort Myer, Virginia.

Don was known as a wonderful family man and great leader. His legacy will continue to be remembered by everyone he touched.

The family would like to thank the staff of Innovative Home Services at Regency Oaks Senior Living Center and the entire Regency Oaks Health Center for their loving care, for being a second family and for making Don’s final days such a peaceful, warm, caring experience.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Youngstown Foundation MG Donald R. Infante ROTC Leadership Scholarship Fund, 655 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44502. Donations may also be made on his behalf to K9s for Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081; to the Armed Services YMCA, 14040 Central Loop, Suite B, Woodbridge, VA 22193; or to Gateways to Better Living, 6000 Mahoning Ave., Suite 234, Austintown, OH 44515, in his memory.

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