Donald Berry Lovern

November 03, 1925 – 01-21-2025

Donald Berry Lovern was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Joe and Katie Lovern. When he was about 6 years old, the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He had a passion for flying and during high school, he took lessons and soloed in 1943, before enlisting in the Army Air Corp in December, 1943. He attended basic training as an aviation cadet in Miami Beach, Florida. He attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia, as part of the cadet program and went on to pre-flight school in San Antonio, Texas. Since WWII was ending, he was sent to Amarillo, Texas for B-29 flight engineer school. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He worked in the automobile business and attended flight training as a civilian under the GI Bill. He owned and operated an upholstery business during that time. He was hired by National Airlines as a co-pilot in December of 1951. He held the titles of Captain, Check Airman and Chief Pilot of the DC-10 for National.

He worked on a secret project with the FBI on an anti-hijacking program. National Airlines was purchased by Pan American World Airways in 1979 at which time he became the Regional Chief Pilot for the United States and Latin American Division, based in Miami, Florida. He served a part of that time as Chief Pilot of the Berlin, Germany base. One of the highlights of his career was when he was chosen as one of the crew members to fly a White House press charter when President Ronald Reagan went on an economic summit in Europe in 1982. He retired from Pan Am in 1985 after which he worked a few months training pilots for Jet 24 Airlines. He also worked as an expert witness in aviation accident cases. Throughout his life and career, he never lost his love of flying or building and restoring general aviation aircraft. He stopped flying at the age of 89 due to poor eyesight. He enjoyed his retirement and traveling with his wife, Nancy, between their two homes, one located in Miami and on an airstrip in Frostproof, Florida.

Don was a member of the following organizations: Riverside Masonic Lodge, The Scottish Rite and Morocco Shrine Temple in Jacksonville, Airline Pilots Association. The Experimental Aircraft Association, the National Rifle Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Quiet Birdmen and the National Airlines Buccaneers.

Don was a beloved husband, father, brother and friend. He touched so many lives with his humor, his caring for others, his sage advice and his many stories. He lived a full life. He and Nancy traveled the world together. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, one brother William Lovern (Teresa) of Las Cruces, N. M., daughter, Linda Fairchild of Winter Haven, Fl., daughter, Donna Ernst (Steve) of Miami, Fl. Son Steven (Winnie) of Hickory, N. C., daughter, Susan Branham (Ken) of Tallahassee, Fl., son Glen (Gehisa) of Miami, Fl., 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation held on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South, 11655 SW 117th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33186 immediately following the visitation, there will be a memorial service at 1:00 pm also at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Donald's favorite charity which is the Shriner's Hospital.