Donald William Garwood

Died Sept. 16th, 2015

Born in a farm house in Tip City, Ohio, Donald William Garwood (Donnie B) moved with his family to West Milton, Ohio where he was raised.

He attended West Milton High School and graduated in 1945 from Fairmont High School in Kettering, Ohio where he lettered in football and was a member of the Torch and Keystone chapter of the National Honor Society. He enlisted in the NAVY in 1946 as a Private First Class Seaman stationed in Camp Perry, Williamsburg, VA and was transferred to Treasure Island, San Diego, CA. In September he was drafted for duty on the attack transport ship USS Pickaway APA/LPA 222. He was honorably discharged from the NAVY in December of 1947.

Upon return from the NAVY he attended Ohio State University before going to work for the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service in the Cabinet National Forest, St. Regis, Montana.

He loved to read and being hungry and penniless he purchased a book with his remaining funds to keep his mind off of his hunger as he returned to Dayton, Ohio. Don then met the love of his life Marjorie Ann (Penney) Garwood on a blind date and married on June 10th, 1951. Don and Marjorie moved to Columbus where Don attended Ohio State University. They then moved to Smithville Road, Dayton OH and Don continued his education at the University of Dayton and worked for NCR. They started a family on Wehrly Avenue, Kettering, OH and Don continued to work for NCR, Frigidaire, and GM where he retired as an electrical engineer in November 1993.

He was a member of Corinth Boulevard United Presbyterian Church for 30 years where he was an Elder, Sunday school teacher and Youth Director. Don and Marge joined Centerville Community Church on October 14, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Gerald R. and Laveta (Smith) Garwood and by his sister Mary Lou (Garwood) and Bill Hussey, brother-in-law David Penney, and son-in-law Kelvin Reed.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, the former Marjorie Ann Penney of Kettering Ohio. Six children and spouses: Mark Alan and Tammie Lynn (Hildebrand) Garwood, Richard and Julia Suzanne (Garwood) Fields of Franklin, OH, Sharon Deanne (Garwood) Reed, Mark Edwin and Jennifer Janette (Garwood) Burkey of Piney Flats, TN, David William and Alicia Ina (Walls) Garwood, and Gary Kendall Garwood; 10 Grandchildren and spouses and 1 Step grandchild: Jessica Rene` Garwood, Marcus David and Maariyaa (Bajwa) Thomas of Jacksonville, FL, Jonathan Charles and Bonni Lyn (Bolton) Burkey of Chapel Hill, TN, Clifford Wayne and Leah Michelle (Garwood) Lauchlan of Lebanon, OH, Clayton Pierce and Amber Michelle (Burkey) Dowell of Bristol, TN, Melissa Marie Garwood, Justin Allen and Emily Elizabeth (Burkey) Brandt of Wake Forrest, NC, Alex Michael and Diana Christine (Garwood) Kinnaird, Andrew Thomas Garwood, Graham David Garwood and Chandler Michael Walls; 11 great-grandchildren: Dolly Ruth, Georgia Lyn, Jonathan Charles Jr., and Benjamin Mark Burkey; Ian Marshall, Aria Grace and Eli Gunner Lauchlan; Elliana Joule and Gage Harrison Dowell, Jaden Michael and Makayla Ann Kinnaird.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:00 am on Wednesday, Sept 23rd 2015 at Centerville Community church in Centerville, OH. A memorial service presided over by Gary Appleton will follow the visitation at 11:00 am with a processional and graveside services to follow at David’s Cemetery in Kettering, OH where his ashes will be interned.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Centerville Community Church, 10688 Lebanon Pike, Centerville, OH 45458.