Donald "Don" Stewart Pullen

It is with great sadness, yet with a profound feeling of love, appreciation and pride for a life well-lived, that the family of Donald "Don" Stewart Pullen announce his peaceful passing on Thursday, March 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

 

Don is predeceased by his parents, Milne Pullen and Hazel (Earl) Pullen. Passing in infancy, Don is also predeceased by his sister, Shirley Pullen. 

 

Don is survived by his best friend and soulmate, Florence (McCully) Pullen. Don was a very proud father to two sons, David (Darlene), Michael (Lori), and his four grandchildren, Leah Adams (Jacob), Olivia Bowyer (Andrew), Justin Pullen and Connor Pullen (Tamara). Don was adored by his five great-grandchildren, Elijah, Judah, Silas, Caroline and Lochlan. Don was also brother-in-law to Dr. Margaret McCully (Dr. Martin Canny, predeceased) and Dr. Kathy McCully (Dr. Khadry Galil).

 

Born on Aug. 7, 1937, Don grew up on a beef, hog and sheep farm in Blanshard Township, Perth County, near Whalen Corners, and attended S.S.#12 Usborne School and St. Marys District Collegiate High School. Don credited his parents for providing him encouragement and support to pursue his education and the many interests and hobbies that remained with him for life.
Growing up, Don was active in 4-H and Junior Farmers as a young man. He was a Royal Agricultural Winter Fair winner of the Queen’s Guineas in 1956 and a National 4-H Conference Delegate in 1957. 

 

On June 3, 1961, Don married the love of his life, Florence, and they celebrated over 64 years of marriage together. 

 

Don and Florence welcomed their sons David in 1967 and Michael in 1970. David and Michael were influenced and mentored throughout their childhood by Don’s gentle guidance and support that they carried into their adulthood with their own families. Don was always present to help with school projects, coach sports and provide encouragement for David’s and Michael’s interests, post-secondary education and careers.

 

Don graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph in 1958 with an Associate Diploma in Agriculture and worked as a summer Assistant Ag. Rep for Perth, Wellington and Dufferin Counties until 1962 while continuing his education. In 1963, Don was named the President of College Royal and graduated from the University of Toronto with his B.Sc. Agr. Degree, majoring in animal husbandry. 

 

After graduation, Don joined the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and served the Huron County agricultural community for 32 years, having been promoted to Ag. Rep for the county in 1968. Donald was known throughout the county for his expertise in farm management, livestock and crops. 

 

In 1982, Don was the first recipient of the Distinguished Extension Worker Award, awarded by the Canadian Society of Extension. Don served as the secretary for the 1978 International Plowing Match held in Huron County and was instrumental in recruiting Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon and an Ohio farm boy) to officially open the match. 

 

Don was the recipient of an award from the Huron County Federation of Agriculture in 1984 for his outstanding contributions to agriculture, an Agricultural Leader Award from the Huron County Junior Farmers Association, and in 1991, the recipient of awards from both the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. In addition to his dedication to assisting countless farmers throughout Huron County, Don also continued his work with 4-H and Junior Farmers throughout his career with OMAF, and, after retirement, began donating an annual 4-H Award in his name for the Highest Overall Score in the County. 

 

As a testament to how beloved and respected Don was to the local agricultural community, over 500 people attended his retirement party from OMAF in 1990. Don’s love and career of helping farmers with his expertise of crops and livestock didn’t end with OMAF. Following his retirement, he became a District Sales Manager for Pickseed and served the company for 23 years, also winning a National Pickseed Sales Award. 

 

Throughout his two careers, Don and Florence also kept a flock of purebred Suffolk Sheep that is considered today as one of the oldest and top Suffolk flocks in Canada. They also enjoyed raising Irish Setters dogs together, with many of them becoming national champions. Always a farmer at heart, Don loved being surrounded by many other animals on the farm, including horses, cattle, pigs, chickens and rabbits.

 

Don enjoyed many interests, including Huron County and Perth County history, collecting unique antiques, rare books and antique farm machinery… just to name a few! Don was renowned for his love of poetry, particularly Robert Frost and Robert Service, and could recite numerous poems from memory to celebrate many occasions, such as family marriages and birth announcements. 

 

In Don’s final days, his mind remained sharp, and he was still reciting his favourite poems from his hospital bed to the delight of his family. Don will always be remembered by his family and friends for his wisdom, quiet leadership style, easy-going way, friendly smile, intelligent wit, and for being a kind and gentle soul.

 

Cremation has taken place, and Don’s ashes will be scattered on Don and Florence’s beloved farm at a later date. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Don’s life at the Clinton Legion, Branch 140, on Saturday, May 24 from 1-4 p.m. with words of remembrance at 2 p.m.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Huron County 4-H Leaders’ Association or the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be forwarded through www.haskettfh.com.