Donn Allen Rowe

Donn Allen Rowe
July 31, 1940 (Grove City) – Feb. 24, 2024 (Grove City)

Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, stakes-winning thoroughbred horse trainer, generous and gentle giant.

Born and died peacefully at home, fitting given his love of family and Grove City. Down to earth and unpretentious, fastidious and sometimes cantankerous, he enjoyed hamburgers, donuts, ice cream and the occasional cold beer or glass of wine (which he'd sometimes describe as "too bitey.") He also enjoyed watching Ohio State football and basketball, the Cleveland Browns and Indians (or whatever they're called now – he always called them the Indians).

As a high school basketball player for the Greyhounds, he competed against Jack Nicklaus. As a thoroughbred trainer, he traveled to tracks such as Churchill Downs, Turfway Park and Mountaineer Race Course and competed against the likes of D. Wayne Lukas and Dale Romans, whom he once employed as an exercise rider.

Grew up in the shadow of Beulah Park, where his parents George "Nippy" and Virginia Rowe would rent out stalls in their backyard and he'd walk horses to the races to make money in high school. Met the love of his life, Barbara, when they both worked for a government contractor after high school, and they married soon after.

"A tall drink of water," Barbara said. "Such a good-looking guy. But so quiet and shy. I think I was the one who asked him out."

He always did right by his friends, family and horses, treating all with respect and compassion.

"Everyone used to joke that if there was a next life, they wanted to come back as one of dad's horses," daughter Michelle said. "He took such good care of them."

The type of guy who'd keep an eye on horses around the backside and, if he saw they were malnourished, bring them feed from his own barn. The type of trainer who wouldn't take shortcuts, wouldn't race his horses if they weren't 100 percent sound and would pay out of his own pocket to turn them out and find them fitting homes when their racing days were over.

Nearly half his horses (47 percent) hit the board (top 3) during a training career that spanned six decades (1964-2017). He won 18 percent of his starts (863 of 4,751), including stakes races with Brother Terry and Danny Sez. His charges won purse money totaling $5.87 million, including top earners Buck Creek, Grand Time and Cayenne Red.

More importantly, beyond the impressive stats, he was known as someone who truly loved animals, people and the job, and could be found at his barns nearly 24/7/365, until Alzheimer's prompted his retirement. "He just loved everything about the horses," wife Barb said. "He'd spend summers in Cleveland at Thistledown and was only home in the winter, when Beulah Park ran."

Donn decided to pursue his passion when he got a job as an assistant to Bill Alexander, and inherited Alexander's horses after Bill's untimely death from a heart attack in 1964.

Donn always "was practical" and had his priorities straight, Barb said. He sold his beloved 1960 white-topped Chevy Convertible to provide for his family after the birth of sons Steve (1962) and Chris (1964). Daughter Michelle (1973) followed.

"He wasn't openly expressive, but he'd do things to show you how much he cared and that he loved you," Michelle said. "One time he came to visit me in Florida after I just started working at Calder and Gulfstream and he dropped me off, then took my car and got an oil change and bought me four brand new tires."

The day after he walked his only daughter down the aisle in 2002, he got emotional when he pulled out an old photo with her as a little girl.

"He kept it in his wallet and carried it around all those years," Michelle said. "He was the type of guy who didn't say, 'I love you' a lot early on, but he was very loving."

And very loved.

Predeceased by his parents and brother Bruce, Donn is survived by wife Barbara, sons Steve and Chris (and daughters-in-law Debbi and Christie), daughter Michelle Rowe Mayo of Hollywood, Fl, seven grandchildren (Anthony, Sarah, Katie, Shaina, Natalia, Mason and Avrey) and one great-grandson (Thomas).

Rest in peace, Donn.

A funeral service will be held 10 a.m.-noon on Friday, March 1 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3393 Broadway, Grove City, with graveside service and burial to follow at 1 p.m. at Harrison Township Cemetery, 5001 Union St., South Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mount Carmel Hospice Care here, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America here or the Cure Alzheimer's Fund here.