Don L. Pagett

Don L. Pagett, 81, of Swannanoa, NC, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 23, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born July 26, 1944, in Detroit, MI, Don was the son of the late Lester Houson Pagett and Marie Dameron Pagett. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Bill and David Pagett.
Don earned his Bachelor of Arts from Olivet College and later received a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina. His career was marked by dedicated service to public health and social services in Western North Carolina. He served as director of the Juvenile Evaluation Center and Black Mountain Center, and later as CEO of both the Foothills Area Mental Health Authority and the McDowell County Department of Social Services.
A lifelong traveler with a deep love for exploration, Don served in the Peace Corps in Nepal—a country that remained close to his heart throughout his life. After retirement, he returned to Nepal with his wife Marilyn and continued to journey across India and Southeast Asia. Among his most cherished memories were those spent admiring the breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Fishtail mountains in Nepal.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Marilyn Babula Pagett; his daughter, Lydia Rose Pagett of Portland, OR; nieces Deborah Pagett–Pope of Bradenton, FL, and Kimberly Faith of East Tawas, MI; and nephews Darwin Pagett of Manhattan Beach, CA, and Sean Pagett of Kona, HI.
In accordance with his wishes, Don’s ashes will be scattered in the holy Seti River in Pokhara, Nepal, the Ganges River, and the mountains of Western North Carolina.
A memorial is not scheduled but may be planned at a later date.
In place of flowers, donations may be made to Free Tibet at freetibet.org or the Tibetan Nuns Project at tnp.org.
Rest in peace, dear Don. Your presence will always be missed, and your soul will forever shine with the Gods.

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