DONALD H. JANNEY, Ph.D. Nov. 26, 1931 – Nov. 15, 2025
Donald (“Don”) Janney passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, just 11 days before his 94th birthday, in Bellingham, Washington.
Don was born on November 26, 1931, in Kansas City, Kansas, and had a long and accomplished life. Special people in his childhood were his two brothers, Clinton and Irwin, as well as his Uncle Elwin.
After High School, Don attended and graduated from the Kansas City Junior College, the University of Illinois, and finally received his Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University. He married Joan Schindler in 1953. They had two daughters, Laurie McGavran and Dawn Janney. He then began a 40-year career at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Don thrived working for Los Alamos Laboratory because it gave him many different work opportunities. He first worked on Phermex to learn how explosive metals react to powerful XRays. Image processing became his specialty. From there, he became Manager of the image processing group. He was especially challenged when he later joined a group which specialized in Foreign Technology.
In addition to working at the Lab, Don found Los Alamos, NM a wonderful place to live. Surrounded by mountains replete with hiking trails and a local ski area, he immersed himself in the great outdoors as often as possible. Don’s daughters also developed a love of exploring and hiking. They remember lengthy hikes every Sunday after church as well as camping trips at every opportunity. Don also enjoyed various social activities including church, Toastmasters, and playing clarinet with the local amateur orchestra Sinfonietta. After his first marriage ended in divorce, he married Betsy Janney in 1988. Shortly thereafter, he decided to learn to ski, and spent numerous hours traversing the slopes of Pajarito Mountain Ski Hill and Crested Butte Ski Area. Betsy also enjoyed the outdoors and they spent many happy years hiking, skiing and camping together. Curious and adventurous, when they both retired, they began foreign travel. They enjoyed trips to Nepal, India, Russia, South America, Egypt and throughout Europe. As dedicated skiers, Don and Betsy eventually moved to Crested Butte and Gunnison, Colorado, where they enjoyed 24 years of wonderful friends, supportive church community, and outdoor adventures together including many camping trips in the surrounding area. Don stated often that Crested Butte was his favorite place.
Don is survived by his wife Betsy, daughters Laurie McGavran and Dawn Janney, stepchildren Rebecca Hamilton and Martin Farnum, grandson Kenneth McGavran, and grandchildren through marriage Reese Hamilton, Kelsea Hamilton, Naomi Farnum and Jaliyah Farnum.
Don had a kind, generous, intellectual and adventurous spirit. His accomplishments and talents were many. He was interested in learning and teaching others into his later years. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
A Memorial Service to honor Don will be held on August 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Union Congregational Church of Crested Butte. He will be buried at the Crested Butte Cemetery surrounded by the majestic mountains and flowery fields that he truly loved.
