Ralph D Cahill

Ralph Donald Cahill (Don) of Austin and San Antonio, Texas passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on June 2nd, 1937, in Austin, Texas where he grew up as a rancher and the only child of his loving parents. Ralph and Vallie. He loved the animals in his care, and there were many calves, lambs, rabbits, and chickens. The one thing he wanted more than anything in the world was a horse! You can’t be a cowboy without a horse. But he did not have his own. He loved going to his grandparents’ house, Jim & Bessie, who had even more animals and his grandfather had a horse. Don rode that horse from the moment he got there, until one of the adults made him stop. Those are some of his favorite memories. In high school he joined the Future Farmers of America and loved the organization and of course the livestock. He started raising and showing sheep and won numerous awards. He was elected District Secretary for the FFA and built a reputation as a top sheep raiser in central Texas. During this time, he also fell in love with acting, where he had a leading role in the junior play. In his senior year, he was engaged in several plays as well. That year he was elected President of the FFA, and was Vice President of his high school band, where he played the clarinet. If you ever asked Don about his life, he would always smile at the memories and talk about how much he was loved and what a blessed life he had. He was always appreciative of everything he had been given and worked for. After High School Don was a student and graduate of Texas A&M. Becoming an Aggie, was so special to him and he was very proud of that. For the rest of his life, he wouldn’t miss an Aggie football game for anything if he could help it. He was also a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan and would not miss his Cowboys playing either.

Don married the lovely Lovetta Mingus in 1956, and that union produced two beautiful children, Rick and Rhonda. Unfortunately, the union did not last, and they divorced in 1973.

Don graduated from Texas A&M in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and went on to graduate from Cornel University, College of Business, with a master’s degree in marketing and management communications.

Don entered the Army on the 1st of February 1960 as an Infantry Officer at Fort Benning, GA. He traveled the world and his early days took him and his young family to Germany, New Mexico, and Fort Lee, Virginia. In 1963 Don changed fields and trained in Subsistence Management (commissary, procurement, quartermaster). In 1968 his tour to Vietnam earned him the Bronz Star medal in connection with military operations against a hostile force. From there, he was stationed in Washington DC, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas, Alexandria, Virginia and the Pentagon.

In 1974, while stationed at Department of the Army, Military Personnel Center, in Alexandria, VA, Don met the love of his life, Evelyn at a singles social dance. They quickly became connected at the hip and moved as one from that day forward. Evelyn also had two children, Terry and Randy and upon their marriage in February 1976, they blended their families to become one. Don and Evelyn enjoyed many years together until her passing in 2023.

In 1976 Don and family returned to Ft Lee, before heading off to Yong San Korea on an accompanied tour. This would be his last overseas duty, and he and the family returned to Ft Lee, Virginia where he retired as the Chief of Staff of the USA Troop Support Agency after 27 years of service. COL Cahill had a long, distinguished military career that he was very proud of.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Evelyn Cahill (they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary together on February 27th); mother, Vallie Casey; father, Ralph Daniel Cahill; son-in-law, David Schroll; mother-in-law Nellie Phelps; father-in-law Cecil Phelps, brother-in-law, Harold Flynn; brother-in-law Junior Phelps, nephew, Michael Flynn; and a great grandson, Aiden Cahill.

Left behind to cherish his legacy is his loving family; two daughters, Terry Stansberry (Victor); Rhonda Schroll Parrish (Scott); two sons, Rick Cahill (Debbie) and Randy Cahill (Monica); five granddaughters, Tomeka, Christina, Samantha, Maia, and Sarah; seven grandsons, Victor Jr., Curtis, Charlie, Casey, Jacob, Christopher and Clayton. Two sisters-in-law, Lucile Flynn and Barbara Love (Everett); He is also survived by more than 20 great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and many other distant relatives and friends. Don was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather (Pop), great grandfather and friend to many. He will be truly missed by all who have the pleasure of knowing him.

The family would like to thank Discovery Village Memory Care Staff, Michelle, Heidi and their dedicated nurses and technicians, along with Reliant Hospice nurses Melissa and Sara for the care and compassion they showed Don in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend an informal visitation from 12 to 1:30 at the Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N Interstate 35, Pflugerville, TX on Saturday, February 14th. Interment to follow at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Don’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Project or any BBB certified charity honoring Wounded and/or Disabled Veterans.

We wish to express our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to the many friends and neighbors for every deed of kindness shown during the death of our loved one. Your prayers have uplifted us; your words have comforted us; your hands have cradled us; your love has sustained us. May God bless each of you.