Donald E. McCord, 96, a former teacher and long-time resident of Clarion, Pennsylvania, departed peacefully to be with the Lord on October 9, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Family members were by his side at the time of his passing.

Don was born to Lena (Dunn) McCord, and Harrison McCord in Rew, McKean County, PA in 1928, and was the fifth of six brothers who included Joseph, Kenneth, Howard (Lione), Richard, and Clair, all of whom preceded him in death.

As a teenager during World War II, Don did his part to support the war effort by serving as an aircraft observer (airplane spotter), where he would identify, document, and report every aircraft that flew over his home in Rew. Due to the war, there was a severe shortage in the adult male workforce in the U.S, so he worked as a member of a railroad repair crew where he labored to keep the tracks and rail lines in good working order. During his mid-teens, Don also served in the Pennsylvania Guard as a member of an Infantry Company in Bradford, PA with his two older brothers, Kenneth and Richard. Don and his two brothers would regularly attend weekend military training, and Summer Camps at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, and they served in this capacity until the end of the war in 1945.

Don attended Rew Elementary School, and later Bradford Area High School, in Bradford, PA from which he graduated in 1946. Later that same year, he joined, and subsequently proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. While serving in the Air Force, Don initially trained and worked as a motor vehicle mechanic, and later served as a Career Guidance Specialist and Wing Headquarters Squadron First Sergeant. Don served in the Air Force for five years before leaving active duty in 1951. After moving back to Pennsylvania, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for several years.

While he was stationed at Pepperell Air Force Base in St. John's Newfoundland, Canada, Don was introduced to his future wife and the love of his life, Elizabeth Godden. They were married on September 1st, 1951, in St. John's, and they remained together until her death in 1993 , and he never re-married.

After leaving the Air Force, Don worked for a time at Dresser Industries in Bradford, PA in their personnel department, and later used his GI Bill benefits to attend the Clarion State Teacher's College in Clarion, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1955.

Don briefly taught English, Social Studies, and Driving Education at the Fredonia-Delaware Junior-Senior High School near Greenville, PA. Don and Beth later moved back to Clarion where he worked for a time as the Executive Secretary for the Clarion Chamber of Commerce, before beginning his 33-year career as a teacher at Clarion Area Junior-Senior High School. At Clarion, Don taught English, Social Studies, and toward the end of his career, Photography, which he truly had a passion for. Don was a beloved teacher to many of the hundreds of students he taught over the years, and many of them kept in touch with him for years after they had graduated. It was common for his former students to stop him on the street to say hello. Don retired from teaching at Clarion in 1993, but still enjoyed substitute teaching for several years after.

Ever civic minded, Don always sought to serve the residents in the Clarion area. In addition to working at the Chamber of Commerce, he served one term on the Clarion Borough Council, he volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), with the Clarion Ambulance Service, and he served on the Board of Directors with the Clarion County Airport Authority, which was fueled by his love of flying.

Don had a lifelong passion for aviation and flying. From a very young age, he spent many hours observing airplanes flying over, and later in life he earned his private pilot's license, after taking flying lessons in a Piper J-3 Cub. Even in his advanced years, Don would enjoy being driven over to the Clarion County Airport, in hopes of seeing an airplane flying in the traffic pattern or parked on the ramp.

Don was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarion, and after his retirement, he enjoyed helping out the Church staff in different capacities including humanely removing any wayward bats from the building. Because of his decline in health, he was unable to attend services, but he truly appreciated receiving correspondence, visits by Church members, and other support.

Don is survived by his daughter Gretchen and her husband Gerald Wolbert of Lucinda, PA, son Alan and his wife Lisa (Gerhart) McCord of Hollsopple, PA, his 10 grandchildren: Jason Bice (Nora) of Burbank, CA, Mark Bice (Sarah) of Fort Sumner, NM, Ryan Wolbert (Hope) of Tylersburg, PA, Renee Wolbert Kline of Northern Cambria, PA, Jacob McCord Wolbert of Pittsburgh, PA, Tyler McCord Wolbert of Erie, PA, Jordan McCord Wolbert of Slippery Rock, PA; Kristen McCord of Mechanicsburg, PA, Amber McCord of Hollsopple, PA, and Jonathon Lathrop of Indianapolis, IN, and 13 Great Grandchildren: Brendan, Jeremiah, Megan, Bethany, Lindsey, Paul, John, Abraham, Grace, Noah, Aislyn, Harper, Teagen and a new Great Grandson who is due in January 2025. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Linda McCord of Marietta, GA, and several nieces and nephews in both the United States, and Canada.

In addition to those family members who preceded him in death, he recently lost his long-time very close friend Nancy Steiner of Clarion.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in his memory to the Clarion Forest Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), whose staff were exceptionally compassionate and instrumental in seeing him and his family through his final days at home. Always an animal lover, Don had numerous dogs and cats throughout the years, and his last dog, Winnie, a rescue, gave him several years of joy, companionship, and comfort until her passing two years ago. Because of his love of animals, the family would also appreciate donations be made to the Clarion County Humane Society.

Finally, the family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of his caregivers, who came into his home and took care of Don when he could no longer look after himself. Thank you cannot adequately express the gratitude we have for the selflessness and compassion you showed him.

A time of visitation and remembrance with family and friends will be held at the Clarion First Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, starting at 10 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life Service starting at 11 AM.

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home in Clarion.

Friends and family may send online condolences, memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.ne