Donald J. Zurlo

Donald J. Zurlo, 91 passed away on June 4th, 2025, at Lexington Community Hospice House.  He was born in Trenton, New Jersey on March 31, 1934, to Atlee and Emma Amato Zurlo.  He graduated from Allentown High School, Allentown New Jersey. In his early years Don played little league baseball as a pitcher. In high school he was part of a jazz band and played the saxophone and the clarinet. He was referred to as “the hot clarinet” in an article in the “Allentown Messenger.”   

Don joined the U.S. army during the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed at Fort Bliss Texas, working on radar installations.  After serving his military obligation he enrolled at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and graduated with a BA in English/Art, and later Douglas Collage, New Brunswick, New Jersey, with a MFA degree.    Don worked for several years with the New Jersey Department of Corrections while at the same time working on his art.    He was involved with a new genre in “light sculpture” and some of his work was displayed at the Howard Wise Gallery, New York, and the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.   

In 1974    Don relocated to South Carolina where he became Assistant Professor of Art at SC State University in Orangeburg   South Carolina, under Leo Twiggs.   He was employed later as Assistant Professor of Art at Allen University, Columbia, SC until his retirement.  

Don continued painting throughout his life and participated in thirty combined exhibits and nine solo exhibits.  He is listed in the publication “100 Southern Artists.”    

He was predeceased by his wife of twenty years, Nancy Barber Zurlo; his parents; his stepmother, Clara (Kate) T. Zurlo; a son, David V. Zurlo; two sisters, Sr. Carol A. Zurlo, and Precious Z. Grooms; and a nephew, Alex C. Grooms. 

He is survived by a son, Steven A. Zurlo of Lexington and a brother John M, Zurlo of Gilbert. In addition, he is survived by many cousins, and second cousins. 

Memorials may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of one’s choosing. 

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Woodbridge Funeral Home, Lexington.