On Saturday, December 28, 2024, at age 83, Don Boger passed away in San Diego, where he and his wife and partner of 38 years, Kay, had lived since 2016.

Don was born in New York City Lenox Hospital where his mother, Agnes, had worked as a nurse. His father, Harry, served in WWII and returned to sell lovely Irish linen until his retirement. The family moved to the San Fernando Valley, where Don attended Birmingham High School and met his first wife, Patricia Ryan. Their two children, Catherine and Carolyn, survive him. A subsequent wife, Jeanne Gambrall, predeceased him.

Don’s dream was to be a police officer, and he achieved that dream by working for 31 years with the Oxnard Police Department, serving under three police chiefs and working alongside outstanding officers and friends. During his career, he held several roles including Detective, Juvenile Officer, Beat Coordinator, Polygraph Examiner, and Temporary Sergeant. He received a trophy for Excellent Marksman and was nominated for Top Officer for “his unusual capabilities of coping with disgruntled people, pursuing delicate investigations, and for the rapport he established with local schools and other juvenile agencies.”

Don received his B.A. from the University of La Verne. He later taught police subjects at the Ventura College Ventura County Sheriff’s Academy and Oxnard Police Reserve Academy. After his retirement, he continued serving the community as a volunteer with the Oxnard Reserve Police and the Ventura County Citizen’s Patrol in Camarillo, where he and Kay lived for 21 years.

Don loved country music and was thrilled to meet his idol, Johnny Cash, in high school, who invited him to his home in the San Fernando Valley. Don taught himself to play the guitar and enjoyed playing for himself, his family, and friends. He and Kay were avid country dancers, frequently dancing three times a week and on cruises, including a memorable dance in Dublin, Ireland. They also enjoyed cruising to wonderful locations. Don was passionate about riding his motorcycle, and he and Kay frequently took trips with her riding on the back of his bike.

In 2013, Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite the challenges, he and Kay continued to live a life filled with love and joy, moving to Point Loma to be closer to family—son, Kevin Faulconer, and daughter, Melissa Alegre. He loved playing the guitar and throwing the football with his grandchildren: Jack and Lauren Faulconer, and Alexa and AJ Alegre.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the future. Alzheimer’s San Diego provided invaluable support to Don and his family, as they do to the thousands of San Diegans affected by this disease. Donations in Don’s name may be sent to Alzheimer's San Diego.

Please make checks payable to Alzheimer's San Diego and mail to 3635 Ruffin Rd Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92123