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In an emotional night of farewells, more than 700 friends, family and colleagues gathered in Cincinnati, OH to honor retiring General Secretary-Treasurer Donald Wharton. In typical fashion, Wharton traded stories and barbs and spoke fondly his 48 years in a union he loved. “I’ve always tried to do my best. Everything I’ve accomplished was made possible by all of you in the audience and the members of this great union,” he said. “I will miss all of you, but you will always be in my heart and soul.” Wharton brought his sense of humility, determination and dedication to every job he held, from shop steward to member of the Executive Council. “Donald Wharton is a great Machinist and a true friend,” said International President Tom Buffenbarger. “We will miss his leadership and his ability to always find a way to keep this union moving forward.” Wharton was just 17 years old when he began work at a Mansfield, Ohio, electrical firm in 1955. He sought and held virtually every local IAM union office. He became a Business Representative for IAM District 59 in Marion, Ohio and served as president of the influential Ohio State Council of Machinists. Wharton then joined the union's international field staff and in 1972 he was named Administrative Assistant to the General Vice President in the union's Great Lakes Territory, based in Cleveland, Ohio. Wharton was tapped to lead the new organizing department at IAM headquarters in 1981. He later became the first director of the IAM’s renowned William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. After serving as Executive Assistant to International President William Winpisinger he was appointed Great Lakes Territory General Vice President in January, 1988. In 1993, Don Wharton was elected General Secretary-Treasurer and held that post ever since. Wharton and his wife, Gay, have three children and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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