Obituary of Donald Gordon Warner

Donald Gordon Warner, 88, "charted his final course" for Heaven on May 15, 2010. Don's "arrival" was an eventful one, began on December 15, 1921, in Cobleskill, New York, second son of Perry Darwin and Dorothy Gordon Warner. Don graduated from Canajoharie High School and went on to the University of Rochester where he graduated, with honors, as a Mechanical Engineer, in 1944. His career "took off" working with the U.S. Navy on Special Projects at Boston Harbor during World War II, and continued when he was hired (1946) by Taylor Instrument Company, in Rochester, New York. Taylor transferred Don to Greensboro, North Carolina to open a branch office and, in 1966 to Houston, Texas where he managed the construction of a branch office and production facility. Taylor/Sybron called Don back to Rochester in 1971, where he retired after a fruitful 25 year career. Don's next move was to Austin, Texas where he "navigated" a new path, pursuing his lifelong love of flight by establishing his own airline Adonis Airways. Don flew with zest, well into his 70's, and regaled loved ones with his travels for many years thereafter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Elizabeth Jackson Warner Winn, his brother, Capt. Robert Lincoln Warner, USN, Retired, and his parents. He will be remembered with love by his brother, John David Warner and his wife, Marian, of Johnstown, NY and his four children, Jeffrey Myron Warner (Phyllis) of Salisbury, NC, Penny Jayne Warner Lovell (Robert) of Summerfield, NC, Donna Lynn Warner Regitz (Mike) of Houston, TX and William Leslie Warner (Wanda) of Greensboro, NC, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and other loved family members. The gusto with which he pursued his dreams and his zeal for life, along with his desire to 'always keep learning' will be the legacy that Donald bequeaths to all. His "final destination" will be a graveside Memorial Service to be held at the cemetery in Ames, New York on July 12, 2010 at 11:00am. Arrangements have been entrusted to Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317.