Don H. Phares

He is preceeded in death by his mother, Hazel Marie Pruett, and grandmother, Elizabeth Chapman. His life will be forever cherished in the lives of his children: Mike Phares, John Phares, Donnie Phares Jr., Nancy Grubb, Susan Ferguson, Cheryl Phares Piver, Debra Wilson, and Toinette Phares; numerous grandchildren.

Don H. Phares was one of Houston's true East Enders. He was born and raised in the East End and attended Jackson Junior High School and Austin High School. He owned Don's Limousine Service, which operated in the East End and at the Warwick Hotel. His company drove many celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Elvis, ZZ Top, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rock Hudson, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Joe Louis, Dick Cheney, and the whole kiddie cast of Bad News Bears. Don admired Frank Sinatra and personally drove "Ol' Blue Eyes" in his limousine.

In Don's younger years, he worked as an embalmer for Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home and drove an ambulance.

His children often enjoyed trips with their Dad to Colorado, Pikes Peak, and the Garden of the Gods. Don also created fun childhood memories with his children by taking them fishing and crabbing in Galveston, Texas. Other special childhood memories include them visiting the old Warwick Hotel and running around the Shamrock Hotel.

Don was a lifetime committee member for the rodeo and donated Don's Limousine Service to fulfill the final dreams of children with the Make -A -Wish Foundation. These special children were all smiles as they rode inside his limousines for a week.

Don enjoyed listening to Blues and Jazz, hunting at his ranch in Hunt, Texas, and giving his customers monkey calendars and fruit cakes for the holidays. He was known as a prankster and someone who liked clowns.

While receiving care at Baywood Crossing Rehabilitation & HealthCare Center, Don H. Phares passed away the day after his favorite holiday, Christmas. The Phares family wants to thank Don's main caregiver, Geneva Gamez, and Nurse Peace and CNA Rose, and Cindy for the kindness and compassion they showed their father during the end of his life.

There will be a service held at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home on Monday, January 9, 2023, 11:00 am-12:00 pm. The address is the following:

Gravesite, Section 32A, Lot 145, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Phares family.