Donaldson Vaughn Lawhead

Donaldson Vaughn Lawhead, “a man of many colors,” passed away peacefully at the Cedars of Austin on October 11, 2026, with his wife and family next to him.

Don was born in 1942 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Leon and Mary Katherine. In 1961, Don became engaged to his high school sweetheart, Tammara Cook, and in 1962 they married and started their 64 years together. They lived an exciting and fun-loving marriage. To this union they welcomed three children: Michael Blair, Tawnda Jeanne, and Brandon Vaughn; and five precious grandchildren: Alex Bickford, Tristanna Pederson, Brockdon Vaughn Lawhead, Tammara Lawhead, and William Lawhead. They next had five great-grandchildren: Toria Pederson, Ella Pederson, Kaia Bickford, Westly Bickford, and James Pederson. They brought great joy and fun to their Poppa.

Don was a local attorney and a published music composer. Don received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Indiana University, and he received his PhD in music composition from the University of Iowa. He also attended law school at William Mitchell College of Law, where he received his juris doctorate. Don was a conductor, pianist, and trumpet player. In 1968, he was awarded a Ford Foundation grant to write music for the Joliet, Illinois, school system, with performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Minneapolis Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the St. Louis Symphony, which featured one of his compositions, “Aleost,” alongside a work by Paul Hindemith. He taught music at Austin Community College and was a professor of music at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. He enjoyed starting a chamber orchestra in Austin. Don played in many popular bands throughout the years. Some of these bands were Ralph Marterie, Stan Kenton, Al Cobine Jazz Band, and Henry Mancini. His greatest joy was teaching music and playing music with his children and grandchildren.

Don loved fishing and was a certified Master Fly Casting Instructor by the Fly Fishing Association of America. He is in the Fishing Hall of Fame for a world-record musky caught on a fly rod. He and Brandon spent many great times on fishing trips together. Don had a fun-loving personality and loved a good laugh. He had a love of good food, model trains, and all things technology. Tammy and Don spent 27 winters at their condo in Maui, Hawaii.

Donaldson is survived by his wife, Tammy; children, Tawnda (Paul) Bickford and Brandon (Jennifer) Lawhead; grandchildren, Alex (Amanda) Bickford, Tristanna (Zach) Pederson, Brockdon Lawhead, Tammara Lawhead, and William Lawhead; five great-grandchildren; and his brother, Larry Lawhead, of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Don was preceded in death by his son, Michael Blair Lawhead; father, Leon Lawhead; mother, Mary Katherine Lawhead; parents-in-law, John and Beula Jean Cook; and sister, Marilyn Adams.

A funeral service for Don will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Cicero Cemetery in Cicero, Indiana, on October 19, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://lbda.org/donate) or the Austin High School Music Program. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.