Donald "Don" Clark Cigainero

Donald “Don” Clark Cigainero, age 73, passed away after 6 years of declining health on Monday, April 21, 2025 at his home in Adairsville, surrounded by family.

Don was born in Marshall, Missouri on December 29, 1951. Because of Don’s dad’s job, the family moved to many places. Don lived in Springfield, Missouri, Texarkana, Arkansas, Lexington, Kentucky, and finally in 1960 moved to Cartersville, Georgia.

Don graduated from Cartersville High School in 1971 and continued his education at Reinhart College where he played tennis. Don was very athletic and played softball and basketball at the Recreation Department. He served in the Naval Reserve and later in the Army Reserve. Don received a HVAC Degree from Chattahoochee Technical College and in 2015 completed his Associate’s Degree from Georgia Highlands. He was very proud he was able to get that degree. Don attended Philadelphia Baptist Church.

Don and his wife Rita were inseparable for 47 years. Their love story began when they both worked for Gold Kist. In 1980, Don lived in Cartersville and Rita lived in Calhoun. They decided to move to Adairsville. Together they had a lawn care business and a cattle business. Don was an avid biker and hiker. He loved riding his bike to Berry College and Cartersville. Prior to his strokes, he would hike Pine Mountain almost daily. He loved being home and spending time with his family.

Don is preceded in death by: his parents, Harvey and Rosemary Cigainero; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Howard and Mary Ida Chadwick; brother-in-law, Barry Chadwick; and brother, Steve Cigainero.

Don is survived by his wife, Rita Cigainero; daughter and son-in-law, Gina Maria and Charles Doss; two grandsons whom he loved dearly, Jayden and Clark; bonus grandchildren, Chaz, Ciara, and Camden; sisters, Carol (Dan) Tull and Jan Cigainero; aunt, Mary Kennedy; brother-in-law, Scott Chadwick; and his beloved fur babies, Precious, Nutter, and Bella. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Tapestry Hospice.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Thomas Funeral Home.

A celebration of life for Don will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 3 PM from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Rev. Tim McCulley and special friend Randy Head officiating. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Don may be made to Gideon’s Bibles.

We ask that you remember him not the way his life ended, but the way he lived it. Don was a talker, never meeting a stranger, and a listener for those who knew him.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Donald “Don” Clark Cigainero.