Obituary of Donald M. Showers

Rear Admiral Donald McCollister "Mac" Showers, formerly of Iowa City, died October 19, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 93. A family memorial service was held in November at his home in Virginia. An interment ceremony with full military honors will be held on April 15, 2013, at Arlington National Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Mac grew up on a farm just south of Iowa City. He graduated from Iowa City High School and the University of Iowa. Last year Mac had the honor of being inducted into the Iowa City High Hall of Fame. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served on Admiral Nimitz' staff in the South Pacific. He was stationed at the Navy base at Pearl Harbor where he worked to decrypt the Japanese code. He and the other men were able to provide Admiral Nimitz with enough information to enable him and his forces to defeat the Japanese in the battle of Midway, leading to the surrender of the Japanese forces. Mac is survived by his children, Donna Webb of Richland, MI, Donald Showers, Jr. of Ashburn, VA, and David Showers of Arlington, VA, 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, his sisters Portia Cooper of Iowa City and Susan Blumgren of Scottsdale, AZ, his brother James Showers of Cedar Rapids, IA, a special cousin Mary Jane Showers, of Cincinnati, OH, formerly of Iowa City, other cousins, nieces and nephews, including Susan Cooper and Paul Cooper, both of Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles N. and Hedwig Potratz Showers, his wife, Billie, a sister-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law.