Don was born on the 25th of July 1952 to Morris and LaVerne Free, of Austin. He graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1970 and from the University of Texas in 1974, with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Out of college, he worked for Applied Research Laboratories, working on U.S Navy submarine sonar systems. Don was employed at National Instruments in Austin. Previous employers include Modular Power, Rolm Corporation, IBM, Pioneer Standard, Solectron, Power One, Universal Lighting, Celestica Corporation, Newisys and Solar Bridge Technologies.
Don also taught as an adjunct professor at Austin Community College for more than twenty years.
He was married to Suzanne Julian Free for twenty-eight years. He has a step-daughter, Julia Ann Burns, 37, of Elgin, TX and a son, Jason Prescott Free, 25, of Austin. Don was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife; son; step-daughter; sister, Gale Ashley, her husband, Mike and nephew, Dustin.
Don was a member of Riverbend Church of Austin. He played baseball in school, liked to fish, play golf and follow the Texas Longhorns. He was a selfless person who loved his family and friends. Don worked tirelessly and selflessly as an engineer, around his house and property to better his family.
The family would like to thank the wonderful, compassionate doctors and nurses at Seton ICU and Texas Neuro Rehab Center, both in Austin. A visitation will be held on Sunday, the 11th of November 2012 from four o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin.
The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, the 12th of November 2012 at two o’clock in the afternoon at Riverbend Church’s Smith Chapel, 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin. Officiating will be Pastor Dean Busboom, from Riverbend Church, and Pastor Karl Gronberg, of Gethsemane Lutheran. The burial will immediately follow the service at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin.
Pallbearers will be Kelly Butler, Charley Wenzel, John Stockton, Traugott Johnson, Ron Johnson and Dustin Ashley.
Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com
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