Don Ellsworth MacCullough's Obituary
Donald E. MacCullough, 97, Visionary Leader in Miami Public Broadcasting
Donald Ellsworth MacCullough, a pioneering figure in Miami's public broadcasting
scene and longtime general manager of WLRN, passed away on April 5, 2025, at the
age of 97. His unwavering dedication to educational media and community service left
an enduring legacy in South Florida.
Born in Connecticut, Don moved with his family to Miami as a young boy, a city he
would passionately serve for the rest of his life. After graduating from Miami Beach High
School, he joined the Navy's officer training program and served aboard the USS
Missouri in World War II, later attending Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering.
After graduation, Don channeled his energy and creativity into education. He began as
a teacher at North Miami Elementary where he met the love of his life, school librarian
Janet Stone. Don's visionary approach to using technology to improve learning
outcomes led him to pioneer instructional media within Miami-Dade Schools, eventually
creating WLRN-encompassing both television and radio stations-and turning it into a
national model for community-driven public broadcasting.
Don's passion extended beyond media-he was deeply involved in preserving Miami's
history, serving as a trustee of Dade Heritage Trust and leading efforts to save what
became Oak Grove Park. An enthusiastic adventurer, he cherished fishing off the rock
piers in Miami Shores and camping with the Sea Scouts on Biscayne Bay. Don also
enjoyed taking his children to places like the lumber yard, Home Depot, and the
plumbing supply store, where they helped with his many projects around the house.
Family was central to Don's life. He and Janet created cherished memories with their
children at "Mac's Landing" in Vero Beach-a haven of reading, fishing, board games,
and family time, always without television. Don approached life like a flight of stairs: two
at a time, always moving forward with determination. He was always improving
something, always curious, always busy, and always standing up for his beliefs.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Janet Stone MacCullough; his children,
Kara MacCullough (Francis Pelly), Scott MacCullough (Leslie Rohrer), Corrie Dretler
(Tom Dretler), and Casey Wood (James Wood); his grandchildren, Tristan Wood, Riley
Wood, K.D. Dretler, Jack Dretler, Selah Wood, Mikaela MacCullough Pelly, Jessi Dretler, and Patrick MacCullough Pelly; and six great-grandchildren. Don also leaves behind
many meaningful relationships with an extraordinary care team of professionals who
respected him, took the opportunity to learn from him, and allowed him to be his
authentic self as he fought the challenges of aging.
A wake will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025 between 5:00pm and 8:00pm at Van Orsdel Funeral Home, Coral Gables Chapel, located at 4600 SW 8th St, Coral Gables, FL 33134. The funeral service will also be at Van Orsdel in Coral Gables on Friday, April 11, at 10:30am, followed by burial at Flagler Memorial Park.
Donations in Don's memory may be made to Friends of WLRN, Dade Heritage Trust,
and the MIND Institute at Miami Jewish Health, three organizations he was passionate
about.
Don's legacy lives on through the airwaves of WLRN and in the hearts of the thousands
he touched.
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald?
Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald you’ll never forget.
How did Donald make you smile?