Donald “Don” Lee Unger
Donald “Don” Lee Unger, 74, of Middletown, Virginia died Saturday, September 17, 2016 in Lynn Care Center, Front Royal, Virginia.
Don was born in 1942 in Winchester, Virginia, the son of the late Jean B. and Boyd J. Unger, Sr. He was a graduate of James Wood High School, Class of 1961 and graduated from the Banking School of the South, Louisiana State University. He then embarked on a banking career that spanned over forty years, culminating in his role as President and CEO of Shenandoah Valley Region of United Bank, and eventual member of the Board of Directors of United Bankshares, Inc. Throughout his career, he held many leadership positions in the communities in which he lived. Among those are: Chairman, Warren Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees; Chairman-Front Royal Warren County Industrial Development Authority; Chairman-Virginia Assn. of Community Banks; President-Front Royal Warren County Rotary Club; Paul Harris Fellow-Rotary International; Front Royal Warren County Citizen of the Year; Shenandoah Area Council of Boy Scouts of America Citizen of the Year; and inducted into the James Wood High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Don possessed an unselfish willingness to help individuals realize their hopes and dreams. As a community leader, he was a respected voice in the assessment and eventual fulfillment of community needs. He aided in the creation and continuing success of innumerable business enterprises in the Shenandoah Valley. Most of all, his self-deprecating sense of humor and humility endeared him to many of us who had the distinct pleasure to call him friend.
Don married Gail Sewell on September 30, 1995 in Winchester, Virginia.
Surviving with his wife is daughter, Kellie A. Taylor and husband, Chuck of Monrovia, Indiana; sons, Donald L. Unger, II and wife, Julia of Winchester, Virginia and Robert “Robbie” Bowers, Jr. and wife, Tracy of Strasburg, Virginia; brother, Boyd J. Unger, Jr. and wife, Lynn of Winchester, Virginia; mother-in-law, Ruby M. Sewell; brother-in-law, Craig Sewell and wife, Bonnie; grandchildren, Leah Taylor, Lauren Taylor, Isaac Taylor, Ryan Bowers, Taylor Bowers, Elizabeth Unger Joy-Carter and husband, Collin, Joseph Unger, Faith Unger; nieces/nephews, William “Sonny” Boyd Unger, Valerie Sarrett, Karl Schaeffer, Kenny Schaeffer, Heather S. Hess, Erika S. Shelly, and Hillary S. Stains; great nieces/nephews, John E. Shelly, V, Sydni K. Shelly, Jacob C. Shelly, Luke K. Shelly, Evanlyn M. Hess, Margaret O. Stains and Elliot D. Stains.
Even with Don’s positive impact on his community and professional colleagues, his true legacy will live on through his family. Don modeled for them what sincere compassion and empathy truly meant. Don practiced fairness at all times, he shared with them the joy of a sense of humor; he demonstrated that humility, dignity and integrity need to be part of our daily lives, and to accept that life will have its challenges, but never give up, as our Heavenly Father will always be with us.
The family will be forever grateful for the kindness and support given to Don by Dr. William Major and the staff at Shenandoah Oncology; for the wonderful care given to their loved one at Lynn Care Center; for the love they have received from so many friends during this journey and for God’s continued blessings.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with Pastor Tim West officiating. Interment will be in Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, Virginia.
Pallbearers will be Donald L. Unger, II, Joseph B. Unger, Robert “Robbie” Bowers, Jr., Ryan Bowers, Eddie Cassidy, and T.W. “Tinker” Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Don may be made to Winchester First Church of the Nazarene, 181 Nazarene Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22601; Old Bethel United Methodist Church, 560 Old Bethel Church Road, Winchester, Virginia 22603; Winchester Medical Center Cancer Center, 220 Campus Blvd, Suite 402A, Winchester, Virginia 22601.
Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com