While in high school, Don played the base horn in the Victoria High School Band. Don was in the United States Army Co E 386th Bn 49th Armored Division having served as Tank Commander during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962; afterwards continuing his military service in the Victoria 236th Engr Co 36th Inf Bde 49th Armored Division of the National Guard for several years having earned the rank of Sgt E5 on discharge. He worked as Office Manager/Project Manager for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America/Kinder Morgan for over 40 years before retiring.
Don’s love for baseball never faded. He played the position of catcher in Semi-Pro Baseball with the Victoria Rosebuds prior to his military service. He was co-founder of Conroe Little League along with Roosevelt Lasker and served on the board for many years. He coached baseball for several years having taught his son (John) who was also a catcher, two of his grandsons (Zachary and Benjamin) followed Don’s baseball position as catchers, one grandson (Tyler) is a pitcher, one grandson (Jacob) went outside of baseball playing soccer, and granddaughter (Nicole) being a springboard and platform diver having earned several metals. Don liked to watch westerns, military movies and college baseball on the television but most of his joy was watching his grandchildren in their activities in his retiring years along with playing dominos on his I-Pad.
Don is survived by his wife of 59-1/2 years, Ruby Mae Rokyta. Don’s pride and joy was in his children: Annette Marie (Charles) Bogusch; Suzanne Marie Wilson; and John Eric (Sugey) Wilson. His other pride and joy were his grandchildren: Nicole Marie Bogusch, Jacob Charles Bogusch, Zachary John Wilson, Tyler John Wilson, and Benjamin Eric Wilson. He is survived by his sister, Martha Ann Davis, and brother Rawley Watt (Sophie) Wilson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Ross and Ethel Edna (King) Wilson; sister, Wanda Sue Woolum; brothers, Robert Earl Wilson, Billy Ray Wilson Sr., and Frankie Edward Wilson.
Visitation will be held at Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Conroe on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Service will be at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Mark Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Garden Park Cemetery, Conroe, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Following the reception friends and relatives are invited to continue the fellowship at the home of Don and Ruby Wilson.
