Donald Ray Rieke

Donald Ray Rieke, age 86, passed away on March 29, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. He was born on November 6, 1938, in Los Angeles, California to Eleanor Margaret Polzer and Herbert Ray Rieke. Don was raised in Galveston, Texas and attended Kerwin High School, Class of ‘57. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, followed by Master of Education in ’66 from North Texas State University. He married Delores Garza, also a Galveston native. The couple resided in Dallas for over 50 years and had three children and four grandchildren. For most of his teaching career, he taught driver education, serving Dallas ISD, North Texas Job Corps, and All-Star Driving School in Dallas. In his spare time, he was an active runner participating in numerous 5K races, a Galveston marathon, and the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. He enjoyed fishing, family road trips, live music, dancing, and listening to the blues. He loved planting and growing vegetables in his garden, as well as spending time with his grandchildren. His family and friends will always remember him as a devoted family man and devout Catholic. He was extremely generous always putting others before himself. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Eleanor Rieke, and wife, Delores Rieke. Survived by daughters, Ladonna Harrison, Monica Arellano (Aaron), and Angela Rieke (Adrian Dukanovic); granddaughters, Helena and Jackie Harrison, Maya and Carisa Arellano; sister, Betty Fuller (Jim), and nephew, Ben. Services will be held on April 7, 2025, from 1:00-1:45pm. Visitation starts promptly beforehand, 11:00am – 1:00pm, at Calvary Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas.