Mr. Donald Neal Rector, age 89, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, peacefully passed on July 1, 2025, at the Generations Rehab Facility in Vernon surrounded by his loving family.
Don was born on a frosty winter day on December 31, 1935, to Clarence and Iva Mae Graham Rector. He attended Lamar County High School graduating in 1954. After graduation, he worked for Lamar County Engineers for eight years. In 1962, Sanford Construction Company was formed in Vernon with Don as President. Don furthered his career in 1972 when he established Rector and Associates as a commercial construction company which operated for many years erecting commercial projects in the surrounding area. In the early 1990’s he worked for W.W. Dyer and Sons as a project manager for almost 20 years. He had most recently worked as an inspector for Hankins Engineering and Goodwyn Mills Carwood, both located in Vernon, retiring in 2020 at the age of 85.
After graduation from high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Lavola Curry, in 1955. They were married for 70 years and raised two sons. Don was a faithful member of the Vernon Church of Christ where he served for many many years as a deacon.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Iva Mae Graham Rector, and one brother, Doyle Rector.
The family has chosen to have a family graveside service.
Don is survived by his wife, Lavola Rector, of Vernon, AL; two sons, Greg (Teresa) Rector of Baindrige Island, WA and David (Catherine) Rector of Franklin, TN; and four grandchildren, Tara (Jim) Blake of Northport, AL, Christopher Rector of Hermitage, TN, and Jackson (Delaney) Rector and Mary Helen (Lukas) Gadke, both of Brentwood, TN. He was also the loving great-grandfather of Ruby, Graham, and Poppy whom he adored.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Church of Christ Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 111180, Nashville, TN 37222 or online at www.disasterreliefeffort.org, and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.
