Don Wardlaw

Don Wardlaw, notable Presbyterian minister, teacher and author, died peacefully on March 25, 2022 at the age of 89 in Cumming, GA. Don was born in Kansas City, MO and was raised in Little Rock, AR where he played football and basketball at Central High School. Don earned a scholarship to Columbia University where he majored in religion, participated in student government and was a member of The King's Men, Columbia's popular barbershop quartet. Don met his wife of 46 years, Ruth Pierson Wardlaw, who graduated from Barnard and passed away in 2001.

After graduating from Columbia, Don went to Union Theological Seminary to earn his Masters of Divinity. Don then went to the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) to earn his Doctorate Degree in Biblical Studies. Sons David (now residing in Cumming, GA) and Paul (now residing in Denver, CO) were born in Scotland. Don then served at two Presbyterian Churches in Memphis, TN, where daughter Leslie (residing in Tucson, AZ) was born.

In 1966 Don accepted a call to teach preaching and worship at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. In 1976 Don was then inaugurated as Professor of Preaching and Worship at McCormick Seminary in Chicago, IL, where he founded and directed a Doctoral Program in preaching which was sponsored by five Chicago seminaries. Don retired from McCormick in 1998.

In retirement, Don continued to write, preach and teach. Don spent one year on faculty at Yale's Divinity School. Don relocated to Little Rock, AR before moving to Cumming, GA to be closer to family.

Don's creativity, ability to inspire, focus on inclusion and use of parables and metaphors in preaching left an indelible mark on hundreds of Presbyterian ministers across not only the United States, but across the world.

Don's favorite word was grace. Grace captured the essence of Don as a husband, father, grandfather, friend and a leader in the Presbyterian Church.

Don leaves behind his sons David (and wife, Brenda - and grandchildren Conner, Taylor, Maddie and Meredith) and Paul (and wife, Katy - and grandchildren Alexandra and Natalie) and daughter Leslie (and husband, Dave Brown).

Condolences may be expressed at mcdonaldandson.com

Honor Don's life and work by donating to nextchurch.net

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Don Wardlaw, please visit our Tree Store.