Don Lee Gaston

Don Lee Gaston, 80, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016, at his home at Magnolia Court in Nacogdoches. Don was born April 23, 1936, at home on the banks of the Red River in Wilbarger County, Harrold, Texas, Bugskuffle Community. His parents were Edgar Joe Gaston Sr. and Ruby Lois Waggoner Gaston.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2016, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors Chapel, 5400 North St. in Nacogdoches. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Bro. Paul Sevar, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, will be officiating.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Reginald Dale Gaston.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Gaston; children, Donna Marie Gaston of Austin, Chase Meissner of Arlington, and Robin Johnson and husband David of Rockport; grandchildren, Caleb and Sophie Johnson of Rockport; brother, Joseph Edgar Gaston and wife Carol of Hurst; sisters, Betty Chidester and husband Bud of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Barbara Cook and husband Doyle of Hamilton; sister-in-law, Jenny Gaston of Norman, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He began his entrepreneurship while in elementary school following the janitor around helping and learning about his job. He was given his first paying job as assistant janitor. He followed one job another as a youth--shoe shine boy, buying and selling pigs, and working at a five and dime store.

Don attended elementary and junior high in Kress, Texas. His family moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school in 1954. He was a member of Lawton First Baptist Church and valuable member of a successful track team, as well as competing in the soap box derby.

He remembers his military years with pride. Don began his U.S. Air Force career in June 1955 and completed his service in December 1958. Don was an Airman First Class (Special Weapons Electrical Fusing Technician). The work his group did was challenging and classified requiring top secret clearance in a controlled environment.

Don continued his education after his military service, graduating in 1961 from Oklahoma Bible University. He majored in psychology and math. In 1966 he graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, with a MS in social work with emphasis on administration and community organization.

He then continued his education at North Texas University where he was accepted in a PhD sociology graduate program. After retirement Don attended Texas A&M at Commerce. He majored in computer technology finishing his goal by teaching computer techs at Tyler Junior College.

Don dedicated his life to guiding and assisting individuals, groups, family, and friends of all ages to develop self confidence, self understanding, and directing their activities. He began this when he became a licensed minister in 1955 at Lawton First Baptist. Later, he was an associate pastor and youth minister in Canyon, Texas. He continued working in the capacity of guidance and social work counselor at the Jewish Family Service in Houston.

In 1968 he was hired the State of Texas as an aging specialist representing seniors to plan, coordinate, expand, and implement Agency on Aging programs. He began working in 1972 for the U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare. He worked on implementation of state and community programs for the elderly, national nutrition programs for the elderly, meals on wheels, and Grandparents Day.

Don worked for the Social Security Administration in Amarillo as a claims representative for social insurance. He worked with his staff helping claimants process applications for benefits and interpreting Social Security laws.

He next became a State Farm Insurance agent. He felt that his clients were his flock and he was their minister. Don started with an office in Dallas and then Mesquite serving 23 years. During this time he received numerous awards and honors as an outstanding agent.

He worked with the special olympics and aided in funding to restore the Statue of Liberty. He won “millionaire trips” with State Farm traveling around the world. At his retirement in 2001, he reflected on his history with State Farm as a rewarding influence on making him lifelong friends and companions, giving him opportunities to promote and expand his community, business, schools, and churches.

Don loved his family: his wife, children, and grandchildren. He liked to discuss with his brother on a daily basis by phone about sports, the Cowboys, the Mavericks, the Rangers, and another favorite topic was politics. They spent many an hour discussing the candidates and who would be the Democratic and Republican nominees for president.

Because of Grandy’s artistic talents, he gave his grandchildren memories of making wood products--beds, tables, and stairs. Don and Caleb restored a 1929 Model A pickup, tearing it down and rebuilding it. They watched ball games eating popcorn and discussing various plays made by the players. Don could sketch, pain, sew, crochet, fix and refix creating projects the kids were proud of.

Don would attend Caleb’s and Sophie’s sporting events, band programs, scholastic contests, and church programs, always letting them know that he would be at each event if he could. He loved to watch his grandchildren participate in every activity that was available to them.

One of his most memorable times was when he made a hole in one at the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce annual golf tournament. He won a new car, a Ping set of clubs, and several trips including the yearly hole in one golf tournament for those who qualified. When it happened he asked the officials if he could have the money instead because he had just bought a new car the week before. They said yes.

On a spiritual level, Don felt his years teaching a men’s class at Mimosa Lane Baptist Church were his most rewarding. He started teaching the first Sunday with a total of five men. That class continued to grow steadily until he had to move into the sanctuary in order to have enough room. He believed that he had found God’s place for him. He had filled many places during his lifetime, but none as meaningful as this. He loved these men who were faithful and craved the lessons in the Bible. Don was a member of Calvary Baptist Church while living in Nacogdoches.

The family of Don Gaston wishes to thank the staff members of Magnolia Court Assisted Living and East Texas Hospice for the care and attention given Don during his complicated illness.

Visit www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com to offer your online memories and condolences.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Calvary Baptist Church, 3732 NE Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, TX 75965.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.