Don grew up in Beaumont, TX and graduated French High school in 1942. It was there he met Billie, who he was married to for 75 years. They lived in Beaumont where they raised their three children, Don Jr., Claudia and Jeanne. Don was an avid golfer and very much enjoyed being on the course while they lived in Wildwood, TX. Don loved doing wood work and made several pieces of furniture, clocks, quilt racks and shelves. He would build anything Billie asked him to build. He always had a hand out to help people with electrical work, building, or working on cars. He could do anything and what he didn’t know how to do he would figure it out. Don was a member of First Methodist Church.
He was in the Army Air Corps, now known as the Air Force. He was a man, as were many in World War II, that had to overcome being a POW. His plane was shot down over Austria and Hungry on his 28th mission.
He loved his family and lit up when they came for to visit. He is survived by his children Claudia and Jeanne, six grandchildren, Shane Clotiaux, Shannon McQueen (husband Keith), Michael Mericle (wife Karen), Keri Rasberry (husband Justin) and Andy Rodgers (wife Sarah). Don also leaves ten great-grandchildren (Kane, Hope, Jacob, Kendall, Duncan, Luke, Cody, Chelsea, Marty, Cameron) and one great great-grandson (Luke) to cherish his memories. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Billie, son Don Jr., mother, father and 2 sisters.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and A Celebration of Don’s life will follow at 2:00 PM in the chapel. His burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Services will be livestreamed via Facebook. Please visit our Facebook page for more details.
