Don passed away unexpectedly at Albany General Hospital on July 27, 2024, at the age of 81. As his family sang and said goodbye heaven said, "Welcome Home".

Don was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota to James Harry Burwell and Irene Gilmore Burwell. It was a large family and Don was child #9. He went to public school in Grand Forks for all twelve years, graduating in 1961. He had planned to go to college and become a CPA. However, the summer before his senior year he attended a church youth camp, at that camp he felt God calling him into full-time ministry.

So, plans changed, and he went to Bethany Bible College (University) in Santa Cruz, CA  majoring in Pastoral Theology and Bible. He met his wife Carolyn at Bethany. Don first noticed her at a student chapel when she sang in a trio, and he opened the service in prayer. He asked her on a date to a Gospel Quartet Concert and they soon became engaged. Fourteen months later Don graduated. One week after graduation he and Carolyn were married in Ashland, OR. And...one week after the ceremony, they began their pastoral ministry in Canby, CA.

Don pastored churches in Canby, CA and Butte Falls and Heppner, OR. He served as an associate pastor at Hope Church in Albany under Pastors Earl Book, David Albanese, Warren Bullock and Frank Silverii. In addition to Don's ministerial service, he also worked at Wah Chang for over 25 years

Don will be remembered as a quiet man who enjoyed gospel music, photography, fishing, and sports – GO BEAVS!!! He also enjoyed studying the Bible, He was quick to pray with anyone at work, church, home, hospital, or on the street.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Irene, Burwell, all of his brothers Myrton, Robert, Jimmy and all of his sisters Daphne, Marion, Delores, Darlene and Dorene. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Hamilton Burwell, his son Tony Burwell (wife Keri), and his daughters Cynthia (Sloane) and Alecia Burwell, his grandchildren McKenzie and James Burwell, nephew Scott Hultner (wife Geri) and numerous other nieces and nephews.