Donald Arthur Rote, Jr., 93, of State College, died Friday, February 27, 2026, at The Village at Penn State.
Born August 20, 1932, in Bellefonte, he was the son of the late Donald Arthur and Ruth Spotts Rote. On February 20, 1955, he married Georgianna Dickson, his high school sweetheart, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his children, Kimberly Orndorf and her husband, Steven, of Allentown, Leslie Dills and her husband, Richard, of Stormstown, and Brian Rote and Reggie Reyes of Portage, IN; grandchildren, Nathaniel Dills and Viktorija Herceg, Jessica McDermott and her husband, Michael, Lindsey Mudd and her husband, Timothy, and Jenna Orndorf; and great-grandchildren, Noah Washington, Natalie McDermott, Michael Mudd and Owen Mudd; and sister-in-law, Rita Eden and her husband, Al. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his great-grandson, Matthew McDermott.
Upon graduating from Bellefonte High School in 1951, he joined the United States Marine Corps being deployed in Korea. After discharge from the Service to his Country, he began his career as an electrician with West Penn Power, later working for 31 years as an electrical supervisor in the Office of the Physical Plant of The Pennsylvania State University and working the scoreboards for many sporting events both at Beaver Stadium and Rec Hall. He also worked as a self-employed electrical contractor.
Don enjoyed spending his retirement years with Georgianna and family, golf, and woodworking. Don was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Boalsburg, a Life Member of the Bellefonte American Legion Post 33, a Life Member of the VFW, State College Post 321, and the Elks Country Club.
A private viewing and service will be held by Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College
Donald will be laid to rest in the Centre County Memorial Park with military honors being accorded by the American Legion Post 245 Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
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