WOOSTER – On July 2, 2020, Donald Arthur Knowlton of Wooster, Ohio formerly of North Royalton, Ohio left us to join his Heavenly Family. He was born in Warren, Ohio on December 31, 1940 to Arthur E. and Leta (Stern) Knowlton. He grew up in Champion, Ohio and graduated from Champion High School in 1958. He served as Senior Class President and lettered in three varsity sports. He continued his education at Bowling Green State University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He furthered his education at Kent State University where he graduated with Honors and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Political Science.
While teaching at Howland High School in 1963, he met and married on December 24, 1964 the love of his life and his partner for nearly 56 years, Nancy Lansdowne Knowlton who survives.
In 1967, he began his life career with the National Labor Relations Board in the Regional Office in Cleveland, Ohio. Don became a Supervisory Examiner, and in 1979 he was appointed the Assistant Regional Director, the youngest ARD in the country. He served the NLRB for 35 years, retiring in 2002. He was well respected and often praised by his colleagues for his work ethic and the support he offered to them.
Don was a true man of God, placing Him first in his life. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wooster, Ohio, where he had served as a Deacon. While living in North Royalton, Ohio, he was a member of Parma South Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon and an Elder. His religious beliefs were the guiding force in his life, and he always tried to live by the Golden Rule.
He felt that the real treasure in his life was his family. No man loved his family more. His children were so fortunate to have him lead them in their lives with all his love. He leaves his son, David Charles (Andrea) of Wooster, Ohio, Scott Arthur (Elise) of Arlington,Virginia, and Meridith Anne McCarthy (Jason) of Daphne, Alabama. No Grandpa loved his two granddaughters more, Julia Anne and Lydia Jeannine Knowlton. His love encompassed his nieces and nephews, Tracy Cope (Tim), Amanda Elampooranar (Kal), Marlena van den Berg (Maarten), Bill Lansdowne (Karen), Jeanne Henrich (Michael), sister-in-law, Sennie Lansdowne, brother-in-law, Tim Wolfe, step-grandchildren, Shaun, Cohen, Araiyah, his cousins who many thought of him as a brother, and best friends from all walks of life.
Don enjoyed traveling, especially to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. His extensive Knowlton genealogical research began there and turned into lifelong research projects which led to authoring many manuscripts, including some of his ship building ancestors. Many have used his resources. Then with his Ohio Family research of Leta Brandt Stern’s (Pfouts) ancestors, he discovered that they were original settlers in Ohio prior to 1803 and moved to Wayne County about 1815. They established farms on land that was purchased from James Madison, then President of the United States, through the Federal Land Grant Program. His family was approved for membership by the Ohio Genealogical Society in The First Families of Ohio.
He loved sports, the Cleveland Indians, the Browns, the Cavs, Ohio State football, and the Fighting Scots of the College of Wooster. He was a high school baseball coach and coached his sons’ Little League teams. He enjoyed watching all the sports activities of his children and granddaughters while they were growing up. He and Nancy, along with friends, Bill and Judy Riter, Rick and Sandy Phillips traveled to ballparks all around the US and Canada to watch the Indians play during the late 90’s.
So many memories never to be replicated, but so thankful to have. He will be missed by so many that loved him.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Patricia Wolfe and brother-in-law, Bill Lansdowne.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave., Wooster, Ohio 44691 and to The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, Ohio 44689.
Because of the world situation, there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Don’s life will be held at an appropriate time. The family has planned a private graveside service. The Lord has not made a finer man.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave., Wilmot, OH 44689
Service
A Memorial Service and Celebration of his Life at a later date
Visitation
No calling hours
Nancy, So very Sorry for your loss. Give our deepest sympathies to David, Scott & Meridith & their families! You will be in my Prayers. Sincerely with Love ..KAY & Rich
Hello Nancy,
We are so incredibly sorry for your loss. We just wanted to let you know we were thinking about you and the kids. I hope we can make the memorial service at a later date. Hugs to everyone.
Dear friend we will miss you very much! Your loss leaves a Hugh hole in our lives,
Rest In Peace..
dave sorry to hear about your dad good man always enjoyed talking with him take care of mom
Don was my mentor at the NLRB, as a supervisor, manager, and friend. I was promoted to the position of Assistant to the Regional Director when he retired from that job in 2002. He was an invaluable resource when I encountered problems in my job and in the ARD job. I also enjoyed going to ball games with him and the occasional phone conversation, just to stay in touch. He was what people call a “ good guy” ready to
help or to offer counsel when needed. He will be missed.
Sorry for loss He will missed. Nancy we loved Don as a friend for many years as Troy and I were kids growing up as neighbors including his sister ( Patty Knowlton Wolfe ). Love u all & family.
Dear Nancy and children, So sorry for your loss. Your husband/ father sounds like a wonderful person who touched many lives through his good acts. May God bless you and comfort you.
Dear Nancy and children, So sorry for your loss. Your husband/ father sounds like a wonderful person who touched many lives through his good acts. May God bless you and comfort you.
Dear Nancy and Family,
I was so sad to read about Don’s passing. Mr. Knowlton was my 10th grade world history teacher at Champion. I absolutely loved him as a teacher and person. He made class fun and made you want to learn more. He was always so kind to me. I saw Don at Traci’s wedding and it was so wonderful to reconnect. The world has lost a great person.
Nancy, was shocked to learn that Don had died. It was just last week that I saw him working in the yard, but the weekend was busy. He and my husband Jack just loved talking and both worked so hard in their yards. I will be over to see you. Charlotte
Nancy,
What great neighbors you and Don have been over the years! We thank you both for those memories.
We enjoyed seeing Don in the yard and loved stopping to talk sports or life with him. Don was definitely a ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ guy. We remember how graciously he would throw the wiffle balls back over the hedges (over and over again) when the kids hit them into your yard in their teenage years.
We will miss our good neighbor and friend very much. We are sorry for this unexpected loss and we are just a walk across the yard when you need us.
Much love and respect,
Doug and Jodi
What great neighbors you both have been over the years Nancy! Thank you to both you and Don for those memories. We enjoyed seeing Don in the yard and enjoyed stopping what we were doing to talk sports or life with Don. We always looked forward to Spring because we knew we would see Don in the yard for new conversations after the long winter.
Don was definately a ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ guy. We remember how he graciously he threw the wiffle balls back over the hedge (over and over again!) when the kids would hit them into your yard in their teenage years.
We will miss our good neighbor and friend very much and are very sorry for your unexpected loss. We are a short walk across the yard when you need us. It is good to know Don is absent from the body but now at home with the Lord.
Much love and respect,
Doug & Jodi
Dave and family,
We are so sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of your father. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and if there is anything that we can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.
Dear Nancy and Family,
We were so sorry to hear about Don.The article in the Tribune was so beautifully written.It really described a life well lived.We will be keeping you in our prayers and thoughts here in Westerville.Love,Cathie and Bruce
Dear Nancy and family,
I am sad and sorry to read about Don’s passing. We had so much fun in high school we never thought that
Some day we would be old. Know that you and Don are in our prayers. May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Dear Nancy.
I try to catch up via the Tribune online while living in Prescott Valley, AZ. and was saddened to read of your loss. I immediately thought of how wonderful a couple you made when I was in the eleventh grade at Howland High School and beamed about what grand memories I have when I think about two of the greatest teachers you both were. What a remarkable person he was. What a loss for all of you. What great memories you and your children will always be able to carry with you.
Love and prayers. Elaine Babbitt Bartholomew