Donald B. Towles, a retired newspaper executive for The Courier-Journal, died at home on Sunday. He was 83.
A native of Lawrenceburg, Ky., he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1948 and accepted a position as assistant director of the Kentucky Division of Publicity and editor of In Kentucky magazine. He promoted Kentucky's tourism industry and publicized the growing state park system.
In 1956, he joined The Courier-Journal and Louisville Times Co. as public service manager and began a 37-year career that saw him head the promotion and public service departments and the circulation department. He was named a vice president of the company in 1974.
Professionally, he served as president of the International Newspaper Promotion Association (INPA), the Kentucky Press Association (KPA), the Louisville chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and was a frequent lecturer at the American Press Institute. He was recognized with awards for outstanding service by INPA and KPA and was national convention chairman twice for SPJ. He was the only person to twice serve as INPA president.
He was the first president of the UK Journalism Association, serving for 15 years, and established the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in 1992. He was named outstanding alumnus of the UK School of Journalism in 1976. He received the All-American Alumni Award in 1994.
As a student at UK, he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega, scouting service fraternity. Later he was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, national leadership society.
He served in the Army during the Korean War, first with a military intelligence unit and later as a reporter for Pacific Stars and Stripes, the military daily newspaper, in Korea, Japan and Okinawa.
An Eagle Scout, he was active in scouting affairs for many years, including service as a scoutmaster and other offices.
He was a devoted member of Beargrass Christian Church for more than 50 years and served passionately as an elder emeritus, board chairman and directed three capital campaigns raising more than $4 million. He taught Sunday School for 40 years.
An accomplished author, he wrote "The Press of Kentucky," the revision of legal publication laws for KPA, an updated history of Beargrass Christian Church, and during retirement, 200 book reviews for The Courier-Journal.
He was active in many civic endeavors, serving as chairman and/or president of The Thomas D. Clark Foundation; Louisville Chapter, American Red Cross; Heritage Corporation of Louisville and Jefferson County; Medical Center Commission; program advisory committee of the Louisville Development Commission; and Senior Citizens East. He was recognized regionally and nationally by the American Red Cross.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gerry. Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Judy; two daughters, Sally Clark of Russellville, Ky. (Joe Gran); Rebecca Brown of Louisville (Mac); four grandchildren, Sara Perry (David) and Lucy Sanders (Nick), both of Charleston, S.C.; Elizabeth and Will Brown, Louisville; and one great grandchild, John Carter Perry.
Also, three stepdaughters, Donna Parsons Frank (Jeff) and Cathy Parsons Leis (Tommy), Louisville, and Julia Parsons of Vail, Co.; four stepgrandchildren, Audrey Leis Gossom (Jeremy), Bowling Green; Marshall Leis, Louisville; Evan Frank, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Mason Frank, Louisville; and one step-great grandchild, Jaxen Gossom.
Visitation will be held at Arch L. Heady and Son Funeral Home at Westport Village from 3-7 pm, Thursday, June 30, 2011
Services will be conducted at Beargrass Christian Church, Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy to The Thomas D. Clark Foundation, 663 S. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40508-4008, or the Perpetual Endowment Fund of Beargrass Christian Church.
Please visit us at www.archlheadywestport.com to leave a condolence for the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 18, 2011
Milton Wood
Judy: Just discovered the passing of Donald this December 18th 2011 when I received a beautiful electronic Christmas card with his name on it. Although I did not get to know him, he was obviously a very special person in many ways! My thoughts go out to you and your family as I wish you the best this Christmas and in the year to come.
July 1, 2011
John Snead
Sally and Becky, My sincerest condolences in the loss of your Dad. I have such fond memories of your Mom and Dad and you at Beargrass. Those were wonderful times that I will always remember. God Bless you and all of your families.
July 1, 2011
We have shared many fond memories in the more than 50 years of our friendship with Don.
With love Bob and Betty Gillis
June 30, 2011
Lois Brown
The entire family is in my prayers and thoughts. He was one fine man. You were fortunate to have him for as long as you did. Lois Brown
June 30, 2011
Judy: It was with sadness that I learned of Don's passing. I have great memories of our service together on the Ky.Press Board.
He was a strong supporter when I was elected KPA's first woman president.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Betty Berryman
June 30, 2011
Michael Davison
Lisa and I share our sympathies and grief at the passing of Don Towles. Beargrass Christian Church was the first congregation I served after I completed seminary. Don was a gracious elder who almost always opened a prayer at the communion table with a deep, bellowing, "O Lord . . ." I'm blessed and thankful to have known him and been edited, on occasion, by Don. O Lord, receive this good and faithful servant. Peace . . . Rev. Michael & Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison.
June 29, 2011
Dee Dee Crotty
What a great man your Dad was Sal and Becky. He was a true gentleman and so talented. It was a pleaure knowing him.
Lots of love,
The Crotty family
June 28, 2011
Ron & Karen Sanders
Sally, Joe, Lucy, & Sarah,
We are so sorry for your loss. We did not know your Dad, Grandpa, except for meeting him at the weddings. But he seemed like such a nice man with many accomplishments. I do know that he had a wonderful daughter, with a great husband, and had the best granddaughters ever, so he must have done a great job raising you Sally.
May God comfort you during this loss and give you His peace.
June 28, 2011
Melissa Draut
It was a privilege to know Don through his work at the Courier-Journal and at Beargrass Christian Church. He leaves a beautiful legacy through his family, faith, profession and community. My heartfelt sympathy to you all.
June 28, 2011
Marcia Andrew
Judy and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Don was a wonderful, caring man and I wish I could have known him longer. He was a very talented man. He wrote the most eloquent notes to me after Dewayne's passing. I still have them. You are very precious to me and I will be with you in thought and prayer over the next weeks. Hope to see you soon. Love you,Sis.
June 27, 2011
Sue Coons
I want to express my sympathy to your family. Also I wanted to say that it my pleasure to be of service to Mr. Towles and his family during his illness. He will be missed by many people.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Funeral services provided by:
Arch L. Heady & Son Funeral Directors7410 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40222-4100
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more