Donald Paul Pirwitz, 81, passed away peacefully at his home June 12, 2022, with his family by his side.

Don was born on May 20, 1941 to Gustave and Mildred (Yantz) Pirwitz in Rochester, New York. While in high school Don met the love of his life, Sharon (Tindal). Upon his graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving much of his enlistment in South Korea (1959-1962). Following his military service, Don began what would become a long and illustrious career in country music radio broadcasting, working at stations in Canandaigua (NY), Rochester (NY), and Philadelphia, before ultimately landing in Springfield at KTTS in 1972. Don would spend the next 27 years working as a Radio Host, Program Manager, and ultimately the Corporation Program Director for Great Empire Broadcasting. As an on-air personality, "Don Paul '' as he was known to his listeners, hosted the popular listener call in show "Cracker Barrel" for many years. He also played the on-air role of 'Big Ed'. Over the course of his career Don had the good fortune of meeting, interviewing, and developing friendly relationships with countless musicians and songwriters including many of the all-time greats in country music.

Following his ordination in 1998 and his retirement from KTTS, Don, a devout Christian, devoted much of his efforts in his remaining years to serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a Church Elder, Counselor, and Pastor for several congregations of the United Church of God in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.

In addition to his time in radio and his work with his church, he was also a tour guide at Fantastic Caverns, served as a board member at the Springfield Art Museum, and wrote a book about Branson.  He was a huge history buff and loved to tell stories about his days in radio.

Don achieved a great deal of professional success over the course of his career in radio, but it will be his role as a loving and affectionate husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that he will be remembered by those who loved him most.

Don is survived by his wife of 60 years Sharon, his son Karl Pirwitz (Shauna) and daughters Karin Gardner-Brown and Kristen Pirwitz Williamson, his seven grandchildren, Becca Karner (Isaac), Tamara Myers (Hunter), Zachary Pirwitz (Kalyn), Michael Gardner-Brown, Lucy King (Gardner-Brown), Piper Williamson and Nico Williamson, his six great-grandchildren,  Rowen Pirwitz, Raef Pirwitz, Rollo Pirwitz, Liam Karner, Ilena Karner, and Hazel Karner, as well as his brother, Bob Pirwitz and family members Nancy Pirwitz and Sean Williamson.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A Celebration of Don's life will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at 12:00 PM in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.