Donald "Don" Lee Yeager

Donald Lee Yeager joined his parents in heaven on September 22, 2023. He was born on November 12,1962 to Lee Don and Patricia Grace in the great city of Pittsburgh. He was the first of four Yeager children. He was the best big brother imaginable, modeling his defining character traits of unwavering loyalty, selfless support, and unconditional love from childhood on. His siblings continued to look to him for wisdom, guidance, and bad jokes through adulthood. He never failed them.

Don met the love of his life, Teresa Ann Graziani, at the gym at Penn State their junior year. Rumor has it her Italian family was initially suspicious of her blonde-hair, blue-eyed boyfriend, but Don won them over, just as he did everyone. Don and Teresa were married at State College in 1985. His dream career as a petroleum engineer took them first to Bay City, Texas, then to Lafayette, Louisiana. Their first child Erin Elizabeth was born there, joining them and their fur baby, Gus. Five years and a move to Sugar Land later, their son Christopher Ryan was born and completed their close-knit family. They have called Sugar Land, Texas home for 25 years since.

Don had a long and esteemed career with Marathon and ExxonMobil. He was recognized internationally for his brilliant mind, engineering acumen, and professional accomplishments, but the love of his family and a life built on faith was his true purpose. Don always knew that family, faith, and friends were the only things that truly matter. He consistently embodied this mentality by sharing his pure heart, incomparable goodness, and infinite wisdom with everyone around him.

Don celebrated his life daily, counted his blessings nightly, and expressed his gratitude constantly. He treasured his family beyond measure, recognized by all as a loving and devoted husband and father. Don spent innumerable happy years driving, supporting, coaching, cheering, and championing Erin and Chris in their many academic and athletic endeavors, which culminated in their competitive college swim careers.

Don frequently volunteered at St. Laurence Catholic Church. He was a pillar of the middle school, high school, and family-based St. Laurence faith education programs. He worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone felt heard and supported by both him and God. Don spent many years supporting the sport his children loved by working tirelessly for the First Colony Swim Team as an all-around, do anything needed, helper. Don also recently began using his boundless energy at the Mamie George Community Center to help with their food distribution system to the community.

Don leaves behind a devastated Teresa, Erin, and Chris, as well as his three siblings, Patty, Mariann, and Brian. He is also survived by the most loving and rambunctious group of friends, who are heartbroken to have lost some of their life and soul.

His friends and family have committed themselves to honoring Don’s memory through happy tears and some of his favorite things: time spent together, big words, pickleball matches, good beer, bad jokes, world travel, Longhorns fandom, Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions, nerdy discussions, Astros games, animated stories, heartfelt laughter and above all, selfless love.

Don will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, and we will all strive to live our lives emulating his kindness, generosity, and genuine joy.

The Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Vigil will be held on Wednesday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 28 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd. in Sugar Land.

Immediately following, all are invited to share memories of Donald during a reception to be held in the nearby parish hall at St. Laurence Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Don’s name to the Mamie George Center via the link below. Please scroll down and beneath “Please direct my gift to,” select “Mamie George Community Center” from the dropdown.

https://catholiccharities.org/donate/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.