It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Don Vail on July 30, 2021, in his home. Don was born on January 8, 1946, in Marked Tree, AK to Irene and J.P. Vail. Soon after J.P.'s death, the family moved to Clarion, PA where Irene met and married Bill Gathers, and together they raised Don and his brother Norman.

Don, or Donnie as his friends called him, became somewhat of a legend in Clarion setting school records in a number of sports before signing to play football with West Virginia University. While there he enjoyed the opportunity to play in the Liberty Bowl and was poised to be drafted by the Green Bay Packers before an injury changed his plans. At West Virginia, he also met and eventually married Carol Zirkle. Together they raised a family of three boys - D.J., Kevin and Terry - in Bel Air, MD.

During those years, Don worked in the insurance and personal finance business recruiting, grooming and propelling the careers of many folks who are still grateful today of what they learned from Big Don. Also during those years, Don befriended Buddy Price and the two were inseparable friends the rest of his life, traveling together for leisure and to attend football games.

Along the way, Don was an avid hunter and would travel annually back to Clarion to hunt with Ben Call & family and dear friends. He made time to help coach high school football with all three boys and their friends, showing many how to get nasty in the trenches. He also took a chance on a baking career where he and friend Gene Minor created P.C. Buns - a pepperoni and cheese roll - one that is still asked for decades later by family, friends and endearing customers.

Later in life, Don married MaryAnne Cummins and welcomed her children David and Valarie into his family. Together, they made their lifelong dream a reality: a hunter's dream house in the woods surrounded by nature where Don enjoyed hunting and fishing. Not only did it feature pine planking walls, a wood burning stove and deer heads adorning the walls, but Don designed and built the master bath to look and feel like an outhouse but with running water. It was there that Don and MaryAnne enjoyed spoiling 16 grandchildren (Landon, Rose, Tristan, Carter, Cortney, Macy, Charlie, Sophie, Jackson, Makella, Spencer, Xavier, Reese, Zander, Vanessa and Ozzie) with love and the special snack drawer full of candies inside and a cement swimming pond outside. After retiring, when they weren't relaxing by the fish pond waterfalls, Don became a bus driver and blessed the lives of many children in southeastern PA.

A celebration of life is being planned for the early fall. Blue and gold attire will be strongly encouraged and all attendees should prepare to loudly sing his favorite song, Country Roads.

For those interested in making a donation, please consider the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore. HUM helps provide meals, shelter and the chance for a new life for those in need. https://helpingupmission.org