Donna Kay Brasher

Per her wishes, no formal service will be held, however, once cremated her ashes will be distributed by several of her beloved friends and family, among the many places Donna enjoyed most.

Donna was born on October 17, 1944, in Lexington, Kentucky. She lived in numerous cities as the only child of JW Brasher, a veteran of the Army and the Air Force, and Marguerite Brown Brasher, both preceding her in death.

Donna holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Recreation Administration from Texas Women’s University at Denton and attended the University of Texas at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs, and Texas A&M Executive Development Institute. She served over 30 years in public service in management at LCRA and in the cities of Austin and Arlington, Texas.

Most notably, Donna was instrumental in developing the parks along the Colorado River Trail at LCRA and The River Legacy Parks on the Trinity River while the Director of Parks and Recreation in Arlington.

Donna was known for her intellect and leadership ability. She broke the glass ceiling for women entering the Parks and Recreation profession and continued to mentor many successful women throughout her career. Donna served as President of the Texas Recreation and Park Society and has won numerous awards both locally and nationally. She was an Adjunct Faculty at TWU at Denton and Southwest Texas State University. She was a lecturer at Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Arlington. Donna was appointed by Governor Ann Richards to the Governor’s Task Force on Texas Nature Tourism and selected for the prestigious Leadership Texas Program. Later, Donna became a minister and member of the Universal Life Church.

Survivors include her standard poodle Remy, cats Oliver, Toulio, and Niko, and many beloved friends and cousins.

Donna’s friends Cathy Anderson, Evonne Sandas, Melody Mitchell, and Maureen Mahoney would like to thank the doctors and ICU nurses at Seton Medical Center who took such good care of our friend in her final days. The world is a sadder place without Donna, but we know will see her again in heaven. One of her favorite quotes was “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” by Dr. Seuss.

Please honor Donna’s legacy with a nice glass of red, walk or run in a park, and/or make a donation in her memory to Wimberley Adoption Group (WAG) (wimberleywagrescue.org)