Don grew up in Port Neches and lived most of his life in Beaumont. He graduated from Beaumont High School in 1955 where he was the all district Quarterback for the Royal Purples. He went on to attend SMU on a football scholarship only to return home to play for Lamar University Cardinals for a semester.
Don enlisted in the United States Air Force, and was stationed in Japan, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, and Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where he worked as a drill sergeant and an aviation mechanic. He came home on leave where he and Shelby decided to get married. After discharge, he then went to work in the oil fields in Texas for 2 years. Don started his grocery career in 1963 with The Stedman Company, Malone & Hyde, and Fleming where he retired.
Don enjoyed watching his grandkids in their activities as they grew up. He enjoyed FaceTime chats with them and especially with the great-grand kids. He enjoyed cooking "alligator meat" hamburgers and fudge at Christmas. He loved watching football, fishing at Roll Over Pass and his travels with Shelby & family throughout America and the trip to Madrid, Spain. He loved beaches on the Emerald Coast of Florida, Vegas, and the trip to Utah where he always said he felt like he could touch Heaven because it was so beautiful.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, John Winfield Hartwick and Myrtle Burrell Hartwick; his wife of 59 1/2 years, Shelby Owen Hartwick; and his sisters and brother: Edith Kenneson, Winfield "Jiggs" Hartwick, Jr., Maxine Terry, and Barbara Bond.
Those left behind to remember Don are his daughter, Kelly Riggs and her husband Robert; his son, Kyle Hartwick and his wife Penny; his grandkids, Robby Riggs, Donny Riggs and his wife Rachel, and Hannah Hartwick; his great-grand kids, Junior Riggs and Jolene Riggs; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Serving as Pallbearers are: Kyle Hartwick, Robert Riggs, Robby Riggs, Donny Riggs, Junior Riggs, and Carl Owen.
The family would like to send out a big thank you to Dr. Stout for all the years of care, the staff at Village Creek Rehab & Nursing Facility and to Altus Hospice.
