Don V. Hylton is a graduate of Bluefield State College. He acquired a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering Technology in 1981. He worked in mines in Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia spanning 4 decades with 33 years underground. Don and his wife, Vicki, have one child, Candise, and one grandchild, Marlow. Don and Vicki's other four kids have paws, fur, and meow often.