Don went to Hughes High School. Later, he joined the U.S. Army where he served his country for four years before re-enlisting with the Marines. He served until he received an honorable discharge before moving to Austin, Texas. On March 29, 1985, he was accepted into the Austin Police Academy where he served until March 31, 2008. He received several awards including rank as Corporal. Don loved his job. When he retired, he started serving at his church, Breath of Life Fellowship. He made sure that everyone stayed safe by patrolling the church. Don never completely retired, just moved to another organization. He loved “Praise and Worship” time because he would gather the kids together and give them all flags to acknowledge God in “Praise and Worship.” He himself had a big flag standing along with them.
Although he wasn’t a man of many words, his actions said “Love” in many languages. I can reminisce when he made Police Officer of the year. I teased him by saying, “But you don’t talk. How did you manage this?” He would just smile with no words. When the race track in Del Valle opened, Don started “Haywood’s Hill" and people loved to come and watch events. Don made friends with people all over the world; they loved him, and he loved them.
Don will forever be missed. As his wife, I give the glory and honor to God for allowing me to have and to hold this PRICELESS LOVE… “Don”.
On Wednesday, July 3, 2019, the Lord called Don Haywood home. His mother Alberta Shaw, father Curtis Rolfe, brothers Kenneth Haywood and James Shaw precede him in death.
His memory, an eternal light in our hearts, will be cherished forever by his wife of twenty eight years Evelyn Haywood, his two daughters Princess D. Duncan and Sarita A. Haywood, his two sons Brian A. Haywood and Gabriel S. Blackmon, grandchildren Isaiah, Zoe, Zane, Reon, and Kenzie, three sisters Dorothy Carr-Bland (Emanuel) of Cordova, Tennessee, Sheryl Bennett-Owens of Hughes, Arkansas, and Tonya Shaw-Young (Oscar) of Memphis, Tennessee, two brothers Willie Shaw of Carson, California and Warren Haywood (Lillian) of San Antonio, Texas. He also leaves a host of family, Breath of Life Fellowship Church family, Austin Police Department family, Veterans family, friends, and Haywood’s Hill friends.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 12, 2019, at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 13, 2019, at Greater Love Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. Don's final resting place will be at The Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.
Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com to share condolences and fond memories you have of Don with his family.
