Sorrow and prayer sent to Dons family and his great pals of which my daughter was,Trisha Chaffin.

Don was my husband's manager.  He was a great manager as well as a leader.  I will always remember how he would greet me with a huge smile and a hug whenever he would see me!  He managed to accomplish something that most managers rarely do and that is to have a genuine team in his employees.  They were like family and were successful at The Dallas Morning News.  
I would like to express my heart-felt sympathy to his family and his team members who worked at the Morning News.  May God bless each of you! We all were very blessed to have known him.

Don Balser is unforgettable.  We met when I joined the retail advertising staff in 1973 and we often played together on the DMN softball team.  Don always strived to succeed--and he did.

Don was a fraternity brother and friend.  His smile and wit was always with us. 
The memories for us all will be cherised.  May he look down and guide us...a dear brother.

May you turn to the hearer of prayer during this difficult time (Psalm 65:2).

Alan, sorry to hear about your brother, may God be your comforter at this time in your life. You had many years with Him, cherish those memories. My younger brother passed away at 23, and thinking of him still brings  me joy.

Graham Malone

Have known Don for 11 years through the newspaper association NTMC,  He was a mentor to all us that were just beginning to understand what he knew so well.  Regardless of the time, place or situation, if you had a question and he could help, he was there.  Don used to show up at our conferences long after he left the Dallas Morning News just because he liked us and we adored him (he also like playing golf with Poepping).  The newspaper industry has lost one of the best.  My condolences to his family and great friends.

I played with and against Don in softball, he was such a great sport and so fun to be around plus he played the game hard and fair..
RIP my friend,
Fred Scott
Mesquite Old Pro's

What a shock. Don was my classmate at Dealey, Franklin & Hillcrest (grades 3-12).  I'm grateful we reconnected at the 50th anniversary of our grade school. What a fine man he grew into.  It's a privilege to have known him. My heart goes out to Don's loved ones and the Crandall community.

We did not know Don well, but he never past by the house without a wave, friendly smile and sometimes to stop and see how we were doing. Not one other man or woman has been so friendly and warm. He past by just a couple days before, we were shocked. He will be missed.

Don was my good friend, neighbor, golf buddy, and fellow council member. Don was just a great guy who believed in family, friends, and public service.  He voluntarly served on several boards and committees to the betterment of the community.  He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

I graduated from Dallas Hillcrest HS in 1963 - Don graduated in 1964.  I remember him as a soft-spoken, kind young man.  Friendliest guy you would ever meet.  His sudden passing is beyond belief.  Don made the world a better place and now Heaven is a better place.  My sincere sympathy to the family.  We pray God's comfort over all of you at this time.

Don went to Heaven doing what he loved - playing sports - especially softball!  We shared many good times playing Senior softball and watching and having many Senior moments. We will miss his competitive play and his pleasant disposition.  Good Bye Don!
Daine Roland

I am shocked at this news. Don and I were roommates along with Ross Wilcox at Lambda Chi Alpha during our mid-1960s days at North Texas State. We even visited the Lockhart farm on a trip to San Marcos. I saw Don and Ross at Mike Bailey's funeral back in 2008. Now both are gone. My deep consolences to the Balser family. Don was a heck of a good man and the best friend one could have.

Don was one of those people whom you enjoyed being around whether playing golf, baseball, dining at his favorite restaurants, or simply hanging out.  He was friend to all who met him and a really good person to be around.  I will miss him.

I played on the Marvels softball team with Don for the last few years. He was a great guy, full of life and very well liked by team mates and opponents alike. He will be missed throughout the league.

My deepest condolences to Alan and Pam, my neighbors, and to the rest of the family.  Marge Priebe

Don was a father figure for me who I looked up to.  He had a heart of gold and would help anyone.  Don supported me in my career in public management, in which, I will be forever grateful.  Without Don's guidance and support, I would not be in the position I am in today.  I loved Don the same as a family member and am heartbroken over his passing.  God received a great man and I look forward to seeing him again.

God Bless you Don.  It was a pleasure to serve with you on the Appraisal District Board.  You will be missed.

To the family: I knew Don at The Dallas Morning News for a long time and found him to be a perfect gentleman.

Only knew Don as a teammate on the Marvels softball team.  Don was a real gentleman and a real asset to the team.  He will be greatly missed.  Tony Hibbs (Mesquite, TX)

No words to express how much Don will be missed by so many.

My dad was a wonderful man. He was also caring and friendly. I can't believe he's gone. He was well-liked by many. I am going to miss him.:(

                                                         -daughter Deanna Balser

I have always been life long friends with Don's son Keith and his family. The one thing that I know about Don was that he was a great father to his children and that he loved Keith dearly and would do ANYTHING for him. He was the type of dad I wished I had. He was a great Father! I always enjoyed being around him and his son. My heart goes out to his family and I know Don will be dearly missed by all that knew him! My heart goes out to his family.

Always had a smile on his face.....that man enjoyed Life to the fullest!!! May WE ALL learn, enjoy, and appreciate......LIFE

I have know Don for many years at The Dallas Morning News. He was such a great guy. Always smiling and friendly. So sad to hear this news about a guy with so much energy. He will be missed.

Don was a dear friend to our family and our community for many years.  He left us so suddenly and he will be missed by a great many whose lives he touched.  He always had such a positive outlook and was a pleasure to be around.  Prayers going out to the family and may Don rest in peace.

Don had a great sense of humor and knew how to have fun. He was a good friend to many people. He will be greatly missed, but the memories will be cherished for a long time.

Knew Don for many years through the NTMC in conference sessions, dinners, and golf rounds.  He was a true gentleman and spark to every conversation, and knew how to play the "19th hole".  He will be missed as a colleague and friend.  May your memories bring you comfort at this time.

I've played Golf with Don almost weekly for the last 10 years. I had e-mailed Don on Tuesday to pick me up for a round Wednesday morning. 15 minutes later I got a call from Joe Baker the Don had passed. He left us way too soon. Don was a great member of the Crandall-Combine Lion's club who contributed much time to community service. His legacy will live on in all the lives he touched.

OBITUARY

Donald Ray Balser

June 20, 1946 – August 20, 2013

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park

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