Donald L. Hollifield

Donald “Don” Loving Hollifield passed away on May 5, 2012 in Abilene. Funeral services will be 10:00a.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in the Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South with Rev. Mike Jones officiating. A private graveside burial for family will follow in Cleburne, TX under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Don was born July 23, 1931 in Ashville, North Carolina. He moved to Texas in 1951 and remained there the rest of his life.

He was in service with the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1959 when he received an honorable discharge. He served as an Aircraft Mechanic and in the Air Force Reserves. He was stationed at Shepherd AFB in Wichita Falls and Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth.

Don was a long standing member of the Texas Farm Bureau and served on The Board Of Directors. He was very committed to the betterment of the farming community and to its growth and success.

He was an honorable member of the Masonic Lodge. Upon his induction in 1970 at the Hemphill Lodge 1164-Ft Worth and his continued membership in the John Sayles Lodge 1408-Abilene from 1975 to present. He will receive a Masons Funeral Ceremony.

Don attended University of Texas at Austin in the Industrial Education department.

He and his family moved to Abilene in 1975 to begin employment with White’s Mines - Vulcan Company until retirement in 1990. He was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a full time farmer & rancher until recent years. Farming was his true calling and he enjoyed every aspect of it. Over his many years in Abilene he was involved in raising and maintaining horses, cattle and currently ostriches with his wife Joann. His dog Roxie will greatly miss being by his side every day.

Don was most importantly married to the love of his life Joann for 58 wonderful years. They enjoyed travel and family. Don and Joann have a daughter, Donna and her husband, Kevin, and two grandchildren, Jordan and Mason. Don was also very close to his brother-in-law, Dave Fisher.