Donald Rogers Bagwell was born to Dorothy Bagwell and the late Thomas Nathaniel Bagwell, Sr. on April 6, 1961. He departed this life on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia.

At an early age, Donald was baptized and became a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, where he was part of the youth choir.

Donald received his education in the public schools of Accomack County, Virginia. He was a graduate of Onancock High School, Onancock, Virginia. He also graduated from the electronics program at the Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa, Virginia. He later became a Commercial Pilot Airplane Single & Multi Engine Land Instrument Airplane rated pilot. This is where his passion for aviation and software development began.

Donald, affectionately referred to by his family and close friends as “Duck” or “Don” by his colleagues and friends, worked at NASA, Wallops Island, Virginia for several years. He then relocated to the Hampton Roads area and worked at the Newport News Shipyard. Donald then re-started his career at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. where he worked for 33 years until he retired. Donald traveled the world while working for NASA Langley, visiting countries such as Australia, China, England, Brazil, and Japan, sometimes visiting some of those countries more than once.  As a result of his travels, he made valuable contributions as a member of numerous working teams that received notable awards for their NASA achievements, providing weather-dependent, dynamic wake vortex spacing criteria to improve airport capacity safely. Thus, allowing the public to fly safer and quickly reach destinations.

Along with his passion for aviation and software development, he also loved roller skating and martial arts, Shorin Ryu style, to be specific. Tutored by his mentor, Franklin Hargrove, Donald trained and taught many students as he worked his way to earning a third-degree black belt. As part of his grand opening ceremony for his karate studio, he broke 10 stacked blocks of ice using his bare hand!

Donald loved sharing his knowledge and piloting experience with students, aeronautic clubs, colleges/universities, and other community forums. He was involved with various projects that helped schools and colleges improve their technology utilization. Donald was very proud of his involvement in ensuring the Tuskegee Airmen received the recognition they earned and deserved, serving first as chair of the Tuskegee Airmen Tidewater Chapter Youth Program, and subsequently as a leading member of the Youth Aviation Committee of the National Tuskegee Airmen Association. On any given day, you could find Donald at an airport talking with fellow pilots or flying his family members, friends, and clients.

Donald was beloved by family, friends, and colleagues, always providing help, friendship, and wisdom. He had a rare gift of connecting with people, putting them at ease no matter what the situation was. Most importantly, he was a man of God; never boastful, or contentious. Donald was joyful to be around with his ever-present kindness and faith. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Donald was preceded in death by his father, Thomas N. Bagwell, Sr., sister Beverly Bagwell and brothers Kevin Bagwell & Thomas N. Bagwell, Jr.  He leaves to celebrate his life: his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Bagwell; one daughter, Shannon White, one granddaughter Oliva, two sisters, Tobitha (Robert) Lee of Accomac, VA, and Juanita (Gary) Yarrell of Greenville, NC, two brothers, Robert (Sarah) Bagwell of Newark, DE and Michael (Keva) Bagwell of Chesapeake, VA, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family