Donald Clair Rowan

Born on August 9, 1942, in Sewickley, PA, Donald was the son of Donald E. and G. Gail Rowan. He grew up in Midvale, OH, where he volunteered as a fireman and graduated from Midvale High School. “Delta Don” developed a passion for flight early while attending airline school and went on to dedicate 43 years to his career at Delta Airlines. He truly cherished the lifelong friends and global family he made while at Delta.

Don will be fondly remembered for his steadfast integrity and boundless dedication to his family and communities in Whitehall, OH, and Dunedin, FL. A true lover of life, Don embraced every moment with warmth, treating strangers like friends and cherishing the deep bonds he formed with his Delta family and countless neighbors. His global travels enriched his life, yet he never forgot the friends he made along the way. Don’s strong work ethic and volunteer spirit shone through in his 10 years of service as an Auxiliary Policeman in Whitehall, where he contributed to the safety and well-being of his community. He took great joy in working on his daughter’s cattle farm, nurturing the land and animals with care. As a passionate marksman, he founded and ran a champion marksmanship team in Whitehall, inspiring youngsters with his leadership and skill. He leaves behind a legacy of always striving to live without enmity, treating everyone with fairness and respect.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Brenda Estella, children Lori, Tami (Bryce), and Scott (Jennifer), grandchildren Christopher, Alex, Cierra, Casey, Savannah (Levi), Luke, London, Cameron, and nephew James. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Irene.

A service in celebration of his life will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens on August 1, 2025, at 2:30 PM in Columbus, OH, within the mausoleum. A celebration of Don’s life will be held later this year at Westwind II in Dunedin, FL, where he proudly served on the board, supporting his neighbors and friends for seven years.