Don Pearson Ainsworth, 90, died in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Dec. 13, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years.
He leaves a legacy as a devout Christian with a strong work ethic and passion for lifelong learning and serving others.
Don was born in Chicago to Francis and LeMoise Pearson Ainsworth on May 29, 1933, and grew up in Geneva, Illinois and other upper Midwestern cities. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, where he met Martena (Marti) Louise Parker Ainsworth. They married on Dec. 30, 1955, enjoying almost 52 years together until her death in 2007.
Upon his graduation and marriage to Marti, Don served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at various bases across the country. He resigned after several years and started a career in the management training program at Kroger, which sent him and his young family to Ithaca, New York, to earn his master’s degree in economics from Cornell University.
Shortly after graduating from Cornell, Don joined the New York Central Railroad. In 1968, he left the railroad with several colleagues to start the transportation management consulting firm, Reebie Associates, in Greenwich. Don served at the firm, ultimately as its president, for almost 30 years until his retirement in 1998.
Marti and Don lived in Darien for 27 years, while raising their three sons. They were active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and enjoyed entertaining and worldwide travel. Don was an avid jogger and wine collector and connoisseur and loved to wear a bow tie.
Upon his retirement, Don and Marti moved to Hockessin, Delaware, where they enjoyed volunteering for the Delaware Nature Society and were active members Berea Presbyterian Church.
After Marti’s death, Don moved to Lake Ridge, Virginia, where he met Mary Anne Padgett. They married in February 2015, and later moved to Chancellor’s Village in Fredericksburg. She was a devoted and loving wife, caring for him through his final years.
In addition to Mary Anne, Don is survived by his sons and their spouses, Richard and Gary Galvan of Houston; Steven and Kim of Warrenton of Virginia; Ted and Susan of McKinney, Texas; his daughter-in-law, Jane Ainsworth; seven grandchildren: John (Abby), Leigh (David), Claire, Frances (William), Reid (Madeline), Ross (Bo) and Allison (Connor); six great-grandchildren; and his niece, Amy Hillgren Peterson. In addition to Marti and his parents, Don was predeceased by his sister, Sue Jean Ainsworth.
A memorial service and reception will be held in January, in Fredericksburg, to celebrate Don’s life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
— an obituary from the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, where online condolences may be left