Donald Storm Varian

Donald Storm Varian, Jr, age 72, died peacefully from cancer on Sunday, August 20 surrounded by his family.
Don leaves his loving wife of 47 years, Dr. Anne (Sargus) Varian; his four children, Lauren Boyle (John) of Arlington, MA, Keith Varian (Melanie) of Fairfield, CT, Katie Colello (Steven) of Belmont, MA, and Douglas Varian (Jeannie) of Fairlawn, OH; thirteen beloved grandchildren, Katie, Jack, and Maggie Boyle, Mallory, Emily, Maxwell, and Maeve Varian, Anna, Elsie, and Ryan Colello, Audrey, Andrew, and Ellie Varian; special niece and nephew, Ashley Faris Newlon and Andrew Faris; sisters, Linda (Gale) Urda, Ellen (Hans) Kuster, and Pamela (Mark) Faris and many other close nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.
Born and raised in Akron, Don was the son of Donald and Mary (Morrison) Varian. He resided in Bath Township for over 40 years and was a proud graduate of Buchtel High School, the University of Akron as a member of Phi Kappa Tau, and American University School of Law.
In 1963, Don joined ROTC where he served with distinction as a member of the United States Army and later as 1st lieutenant. After serving in the Army and graduating from law school, Don enjoyed a long and distinguished legal career in Akron.
As a practicing courtroom attorney, Don started his career in the Summit County Prosecutors Office. It was there he honed his craft and, most importantly, made many lifelong friends. From there he went on to private practice where he was a tireless legal advocate for thousands of clients from every walk of life.
Always immaculately dressed, Don was most comfortable in the courtroom speaking to a jury. As a skilled defense attorney, he rarely consulted notes and would command arguments and examinations using passion, fervor, and common sense explanations. Don secured countless courtroom victories on a wide range of trial work. He took great pride in his work and was respected as a lawyer's lawyer throughout the Akron legal community.
While Don dedicated himself to his legal practice of 47 years, the greatest accomplishment of his life was his family. He delighted in spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren as he was most proud of their successes.
For most of his life he could be found spending his summers fishing in the Adirondack Mountains of New York where later in life he took great satisfaction in teaching his grandchildren to fish. Don loved nothing more than spending time outdoors with his family sharing great fishing stories from the lake, ocean or stream.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 pm on WEDNESDAY August 23rd at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333. The funeral service will be held on THURSDAY August 24th at 11 am also at the funeral home. Interment with military honors at Rose Hill Burial Park. A scholarship to honor Don has been established at The University of Akron and will support Buchtel High School graduates. Mail donations (payable to the University of Akron Foundation) to: The University of Akron, Dept. of Development, Akron, OH 44325-2603. Please write Don Varian Fund on memo line. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)