Born on January 15, 1944 to Dorman & Carroll Swan in Youngstown, Ohio. Don graduated from Boardman High School in 1961, and then entered the Navy, where he served 4 years on the USS McCain. He then worked as an Engineer for General Electric until he retired in 2004.

He married Claudia Hawkins on March 5, 1966.

He was predeceased by his parents, Dorman & Carroll Swan, his older brother Robert Swan, and his wife Claudia (Hawkins) Swan.

Surviving are his daughters Melissa (Edward) Holmes - Helenwood, TN; Christine (Eric) Wood - Pulaski, NY; and Sarah (Jerry) Winks - Cato, NY; his granddaughters Tessa Wood, Laura Winks, Alexandria Wood, and Olivia Holmes, and several nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Community Wesleyan Church, 110 Downer Street, Baldwinsville, NY.