Donald Edward Reasonover Sr.

Donald Edward Reasonover Sr., 85, died Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Serenity Gardens Memory Care Assisted Living facility in Friendswood, TX following a several year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Patricia Gail Siddall Reasonover, father Roger Louis Reasonover Sr., mother Callie Mary Elizabeth Franks Reasonover, and older brother Rear Adm. Roger Louis Reasonover Jr. Donald leaves behind two children, Donald Edward Reasonover Jr and wife Donna, and his devoted daughter, Debra Gail Waltz-Reasonover and spouse Amy; seven grandchildren: Tara Braddock Schaffer and husband Jesse, Jeff Braddock and wife Jane, Melissa Brashear Cole and husband Ron, Danny Brashear, Jennifer Brashear Branch and husband Dennis, Heather McMillan, and Jamie McMillan; eight great grandchildren: Chloe West, Annie Brashear, Sean Cole, Lorayne Cole, Kristian Morgan, Kenneth Aery, Kamryn Aery, and Lilith Schaffer, as well as many devoted care-givers whom he loved as family, and a host of others he touched in all of his wonderful ways.

Born and raised in Galveston, TX in 1934, the son of Roger and Callie Reasonover, he described himself as a B.O.I., (born on the Island) and B.I.H. (born in a hurricane). In his early years, Donald was a boy soprano for Galveston’s First Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed listening to the organist practicing during the week. He was also a devoted DeMolay in the Galveston chapter, becoming Master Counselor at 16 years-old and earning the Order of the Chevalier at age 18. It was during his service with this group that he met his beloved wife, Gail, in 1950 while attending a Rainbow Girl and DeMolay dance in Freeport, TX. They were married July 7, 1956 at First Methodist Church, Freeport, TX.

After graduating from Ball High School in 1951, where he was active in JROTC, Drum and Bugle Corp, Journalism and Photography, he went on to eventual employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone in 1952. Enlisting in the United States Army in 1956, while stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX, where he taught in the guided missile program.

After completing his service to the Army in 1960, Mr. Reasonover returned to La Marque, TX and his employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone, where he remained employed for 42 years. During his time with Southwestern Bell, Mr. Reasonover worked closely with NASA during the Apollo space flight program, helping to keep communications open between the Astronauts in space and Johnson Space Center Houston Mission Control from 1964 through 1974. From 1966 – 1969 Mr. Reasonover also worked part-time driving charter buses for Texas Bus Lines out of Galveston, TX. In 1974 Mr. Reasonover was transferred to Orange, TX where he would remain until the final months of his life.

Mr. Reasonover was a life-long Methodist and 45 year member of First United Methodist Church, Orange, TX and a devoted philanthropist. Mr. Reasonover enjoyed 65 years of service with Masonry. Raised in Harmony Lodge No.6 Galveston, TX, he was also a member of Madison Lodge No.126, Bridge City Lodge No.365, and Tranquility Lodge No.2000. He was past master of Madison Lodge No.126, a member of Eastern Star Chapter 214 Orange, TX, Thrice Illustrious Master York Right, Knight Commander of the Court of Honor KCCH, Scottish Right, Knights Templar, Grotto, and El Mina Shrine where he served on the El Mina Kart Patrol. Past President of Little Cypress Lions Club, Orange, TX and he looked forward to the annual Lion’s Club Carnival, where he helped raise funds for those in need. He served the Boy Scouts of America as Cub Scout leader from 1966-1969 and as Boy Scout leader for Troop No. 280, La Marque, TX from 1969-1973.

There will be a catered visitation Friday, October 4, 2019 from 5-8 PM at Earthman Funeral Home in Baytown, TX, followed by a funeral on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Earthman Funeral Home, and internment on Monday, October 7, 2019 at Galveston County Memorial Park in Hitchcock, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Donald’s name to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children or to Alzheimer’s research.