Donald graduated from Darien High School, Darien WI in 1944 and was drafted into the Army on August 21, 1944. He went to Camp Wheeler in Georgia for training. While enlisted he sailed from Camp Miles Standish in the Boston, MA area aboard the ship Ille de France (14000+ soldiers) in January 1945. The trip took 11 days in rough seas. He landed in Scotland and traveled via train to Southampton, England, crossed English Channel to Le Havre, France. From there they traveled via truck (feet became frostbitten on trip) to Northeastern Belgium near the Rhine River. Donald was assigned to 2nd Infantry Division in heavy weapons platoon. On the German side of the Rhine River, he was hit by shrapnel in the face and left breast pocket. A New Testament bible in that pocket stopped the shrapnel. He was left for dead because of the blood on his face and the hole in his left breast pocket of his field jacket. When he came to, he remembered the route they were to have taken, and he made his way to the camp. He was awarded the Purple Heart on March 23, 1945. When the War ended, he returned home in July 1945 in a smaller ship (7000+ soldiers) and on calmer seas. The trip home took another 11 days. Upon landing he was sent to Camp Swift in Bastrop, TX. While on leave he got married to Betty Jean White on Wednesday, August 8, 1945 in Sharon, WI. Betty joined him in December 1945. He received orders to Camp McCoy in Wisconsin in April 1946. Donald was Honorably Discharged from the Army at Camp McCoy on April 12, 1946
Donald and Betty lived in Sharon, WI and Belvidere, IL before moving to Austin, Texas in June of 1970, where he retired from Travis County Appraisal District after 17+ years. They joined the Memorial United Methodist Church in Austin, TX on August 9, 1970. He has served in numerous positions over 50 years.
He enjoyed dancing all his life. He and Betty danced together for more than 45 years until her death in 1991. He also enjoyed dancing with his best friend and companion, Lora Janda. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed the trip to Czechoslovakia in 2005 with Lora. Donald also loved to swim at the downtown Austin YMCA. He learned to swim there after the age of 67 and has many friends there.
He moved into the Buckner Greenridge Independent Living community and spent four wonderful years there. While there he made many friends and loved them all. Donald was a lifetime fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers. He drove his own car until 3 weeks before his passing.
Donald had a very special friend named Monique at the VA, she would do anything for him and he loved her. Many clerks in the stores he visited recognized him and would run to help him find things or check out, which was witnessed by his family several times.
We want to thank the staff at Baylor Scott & White Hospital – Round Rock for taking care of him. He was discharged to the Family Tree Assisted Living with Hospice. The care team there was absolutely wonderful in his last few days.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Betty White Morrison, father Donald A Morrison, mother Florence Robinson Morrison, sister Rosella Morrison Christenson, brother Gaylord Lee Morrison, great-granddaughter Payton Noelle Sturges, friend & companion Lora Jean Janda.
He is survived by his daughters Karan Ackerman (late Frank Hinds) of Horseshoe Bay, TX, Linda (Pete) Sturges of Rockford, IL, Bonita Reininger (late Mike Reininger) of Waxahachie, TX; Son Jeffrey (Dana) Morrison of Georgetown, TX; grandchildren, Amber Ackerman (Jerry Buentello), Wayne Ackerman, Rebecca Ackerman (Lance) Ellington, Chad (Shelbi) Sturges, Jeremy (Jenn) Sturges, Nicole Sturges Cincinnati, Keith (Shannon) Reininger, Kirk (Jennifer) Reininger; great-grandchildren, Nicole Greene, Jack Flores, Dominic Flores, Griffin Sturges, Cooper Sturges, Abigail Cincinnati, Knox Cincinnati, Whitney Sturges, Zachary Sturges, Logan Sturges, Colleen Dennington, Brooke Reininger; great-great-grandchildren, Julian Ferry, Nathan Greene, Mexia Greene (due in Sept), Drew Garien, Dominic Garien, Allison Dennington; brothers Allen (Dorothy) Morrison of Sharon, WI and Harold (Sandy) Morrison of Darlington, WI; Sister-in-law Alma (late Gaylord) Morrison of South Beloit, IL. He was PeePaw Don to 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren of late companion Lora Janda; a very close family friend, Christine Jones of Bend, OR; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many other family members, extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, with a Funeral Service to be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, July 8, 2021; both at Cook-Walden North Lamar Funeral Home. The Interment will immediately follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Memorial Park in Pflugerville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Compassus Hospice, Military Order of Purple Heart, or a charity of your choice.
