Donald Arthur Mahley II
June 16, 1942 ~ March 1, 2014
Donald A. Mahley (age 71)
Ambassador Don Mahley passed away after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Husband of Julianna Stephenson Mahley for 45 years, he had a career in the U.S. Army for 27 years with work at the National Security Council and Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Later he was confirmed as the State Department Ambassador serving as Special Negotiator for Nonproliferation. His work on the protocol for the Biological Weapons Treaty, establishing the Office for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and negotiating the recently signed Arms Trade Treaty are notable.
He was also known for his love of animals, fantasy baseball, the theater world where he served on the board of directors of Synetic Theater, Chicago Cubs, and coaching the speech and debate teams at USMA, single malt scotch, vintage port and pinot noir, and above all the many friends and colleagues he knew over the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.
Arrangements are pending for memorial service, burial and reception at Ft. Myer and Arlington National Cemetery. Family, friends, and colleagues may attend a viewing at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 West Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA on Thursday, March 6 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Ambassador Don Mahley passed away after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Husband of Julianna Stephenson Mahley for 45 years, he had a career in the U.S. Army for 27 years with work at the National Security Council and Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Later he was confirmed as the State Department Ambassador serving as Special Negotiator for Nonproliferation. His work on the protocol for the Biological Weapons Treaty, establishing the Office for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and negotiating the recently signed Arms Trade Treaty are notable.
He was also known for his love of animals, fantasy baseball, the theater world where he served on the board of directors of Synetic Theater, Chicago Cubs, and coaching the speech and debate teams at USMA, single malt scotch, vintage port and pinot noir, and above all the many friends and colleagues he knew over the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.
Arrangements are pending for memorial service, burial and reception at Ft. Myer and Arlington National Cemetery. Family, friends, and colleagues may attend a viewing at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 West Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA on Thursday, March 6 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Julianna. So sorry to learn about your loss of your dear companion of many years. My thoughts and affection are with you. Fondly, Reba
An ambassador, scholar, gentleperson, and exceptional diplomat – so privileged to know and work with Don for many years in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was widely respected by his peers and foreign delegation counterparts. Sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones. Warm regards, Mark B.
From our days in H-1 at Purdue to our last meeting in Washington, D.C., you were always a person I admired and remembered. Our deepest condolences.
This is truly a sad day for all that knew Don, and for this country. It was an honor to work with Don and it was an honor to call him a friend. I will always treasure my memories of Don and the impact he had on my life. My familys thoughts and prayers go out to Dons Family and all that feel the emptiness from his passing.
Julianna, Tony and I are deeply saddened by the news of Don’s passing. He was a terrific mentor and fellow Army veteran. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. With sympathy, Connie
so sorry to hear about Amb. Don Mahley’s passing. I worked with Don during our time with ACDA and State. I was a PA officer and had Don do a lot of press interviews, he was just great at this. Don and I also bonded over Baseball, we both loved the game and would have many great conversations about the game. I will always remember him and he will be missed by everyone who came in contact with him. My prayers go out to his wife Julianna, so sorry for your loss.
Don was honest, smart, expert, and a nice guy to boot. He worked hard on issues that matter, in the public’s interest, because he cared about making the world a better, safer place. His wisdom was well-known and his views were respected. He will be greatly missed, but his accomplishments in controlling dangerous arms will last.– Jeff Smith, Center for Public Integrity (formerly at Washington Post)
My thoughts are with family and friends of Don. As an Australian diplomat I worked with Don over the last four years on the Arms Trade Treaty negotiation . We shared the highs and lows of the negotiation, and latterly, of his health. He was true to his nation’s interests, a tough but creative negotiator and an engaging companion in the little spare time we shared. The arms control world has lost a champion. John Tilemann Canberra
Julianna, I am very saddened to learn of Don’s passing. He was our claim to fame in the PHS Class of ’60! He was the smartest person in the class then became the most famous! I am so grateful that you and Don came to our 50th reunion. I had not seen either of you in a very long time. His speech was definitely the highlight of the evening. We joked about being fellow redheads in the class. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you will miss Don. He was truly one of the good guys! Marti and Pat Coady