Donald was born on September 4, 1930, in Plattsburg, NY, to Mildred York and David Dewey Rennell. Don was the youngest of 6 children, and he spent most of his youth enjoying outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. He graduated from Keesville Central High School in 1948, then spent 4 years in the Air Force, primarily  at Ellsworth Air Force Base outside of Rapid City, SD.
During his time in South Dakota, he met and married Mary Lou Geary in 1951. They moved to upstate New York where they built and operated the Timerland Motel at Ausable Chasm, NY. They had two children, Steven (1953) and Pam (1956) (Matheson).
He and his family returned to Rapid City, SD, in 1960, where he worked as a plumber and mechanical inspector until 1998, when he retired after the death of Mary Lou.
He attended his 50th high school reunion in Keesville NY, where he met and eventually married a high school classmate, Mary Costanza. They moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where they enjoyed many friends and community activities. They also took the opportunity to spend a few weeks each summer at a family home on Lake Champlain near Pork Kent NY.
Donald was a member of several benefit organizations including, Shriners, Mason, Elks, Little League, and Boy Scouts. He was an active artist and loved many forms of art, including sculpting, water and oil painting, and colored pencils. He loved to teach these art forms to others. Some of his works include the display of Keesvillse First Street and jointly with his wife Mary, a display of the Essex County Pavillion, and Mussen Brick Factory on Morse Chasm Road outside Keesville. Donald had two signature activities. First, giving away Jesus lapel pins, and second, painting ladybug rocks for any and all who wanted one.
Donald is survived by his wife Mary, two children, 5 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He will be interred at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD, at a later date.