Rosie O'Grady's Good Time Jazz Band's own Donald Keith Lord passed away on September 1, 2009. Don was born August 20, 1931, in a farmhouse in Gilead, Maine. In his early years, he received 13 pins for perfect attendance in Sunday school – one for each year. He started playing the trumpet at age 7 and at the age of 12 he began playing for dances with his mother and father in Lord’s Orchestra. He continued to play with Lord’s Orchestra until college in 1949.

While attending Gould Academy, Don participated in band, orchestra, chorus, church choir, and track. In the fall of ’49, Don entered the University of Maine as a ROTC Cadet. He was a drum major for ROTC Band all four years; a drum major for the University of Maine 100 piece band for three years; Choir Director at college church for three years; and graduated in 1953 as 2nd Lieutenant with a Music degree.

In August 1953, Don entered the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery, Ft. Bliss, Texas. While in the Army, Don had four tours of duty: Germany 1957–1960; Vietnam 1963–1964; Panama 1966–1969; and Crete 1970–1971. Don also continued to pursue his love of music while in the Army. He had his own band in Panama called The Saints of Dixieland. The band played for Officers and NCO Clubs, Elks, Moose, etc. In 1973, after 20 years of service, Don retired from the U.S. Army as Lt. Colonel.

Don continued to pursue his love of music and in September, 1974, Don joined the Rosie O’Grady’s Jazz Band in Orlando, FL. where he played various festivals in the U.S., England, Wales, Scotland, and Holland. After 20 years of performing on stage, Don retired in 1994 to Lord’s Little Acres and Critter Farm. In 2004, he moved to Washington State where he resided until his passing on September, 1, 2009. Don is fondly remembered by thousands who enjoyed his humor and musical skills at Rosie O'Grady's Good Time Emporium.

Don is survived by his wife Jenny and her four children; his siblings Janice Mott and Dwight Lord; his five children by wife Amy Doepp – Don Lord, Jr; David Lord; Catherine Barberi; Carole Quintana; and Jim Lord. He was pre-deceased by his wife Jackie. Don is also survived by many grandchildren from all of the families who were a part of his life.

Graveside services were hold on October 24, 2009 at Pine Grove Cemetery, West Bethel, Maine.

Our family first met Don Lord when we visited Rosie O'Gradys Goodtime Jazz Band at Church Street Station for the first time in the summer of 1974. We loved the music and the musicians and kept coming back until the band left 25 years later. We continued going to Rosie O'Grady Reunions at Holly and Dolly's place in Casselberry as shown in two of the photos below with Don singing.

This portion of a 1980's press release on Rosie O'Grady's Good Time Jazz Band states: "A retired Army Lt. Colonel, cornetist Don Lord started early in Maine with a family dance band. During his 10 years in the Army, Lord led his own jazz bands in Panama and El Paso, Texas, cutting a record as "The Saints of Dixieland." He played in the Cocoa-Titusville areas until joining Rosie's in 1974."

For more information go to OrlandoMemory.info and search "Rosie O'Grady's Good Time Jazz Band" and "Don Lord".