Donald William Muir, age 71, peacefully went to his heavenly home with the Lord on Saturday, July 9th after 14 months of battling esophageal cancer. Don was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 22, 1951. He graduated from Speedway High School in 1969, and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in German from Indiana University in 1973.
Don was an avid athlete throughout his life. In high school, Don won the Indiana State diving championship, the first state champion for Speedway High School in any sport. He played first chair cornet in the band and ran track and cross country. His passion for diving carried through college where he became a three time NCAA Division I All-American diver at Indiana University. After college, he traveled abroad in Europe with a high-diving circus show. While there, he was featured on ABC Wide World of Sports, winning 3rd place in an international high diving competition in Athens, Greece.
A two-time hole-in-oner, you could frequently find Don on the golf course with family and friends. His love of the game was infectious. Regardless of your skill level, he would lovingly say, “A good shot is one you can find.” When teaching his daughters how to play he would often joke, “Keep your head down, and hit the little ball before the big ball.”
Don was a dedicated, successful, and well-respected businessman. In 1979, he moved to Texas to start his own real estate brokerage for 12 years. For the past 27 years, he sold medicare health insurance, leading him to become Regional Sales Manager for Medicare with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He served as Marketing Chair for the Houston Association of Health Underwriters for many years.
Don was a much-beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. His most endearing qualities were his integrity and determination, his caring and tender heart, his adventurous and out-going personality, and his quick wit. Don never met a stranger. He consistently put God, family, and others before himself.
The pride and joy of his life were his daughters and grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa Don. He never missed an opportunity to be the most encouraging, supportive, generous, and engaging grandfather, and he never missed a chance to let them know how proud he was of them.
Don is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Rhonda Gail Muir; two daughters, Krista N. Rockson (Ned Rockson), and Amanda M. Pankratz (Taylor Pankratz); and two grandchildren, Nathan and Micah Pankratz; and his siblings, James R. Muir (Karen Muir), Janet Muir Lowe (Garry Lowe); and nieces and nephews. Don is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Helen Muir; and sister, Ruth McManus (Rob McManus).
A celebration of life for Donald will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 E. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, TX 77304.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in Don’s memory.
