Donald Pierce Moran

Don and his twin brother, Ronald, were born in El Dorado, Arkansas, April 4, 1940, to Jewell and Ruth Moran. When Don was one, Jewell moved his family to Houston, Texas, to operate a Sinclair gas station on North Main Street near downtown Houston. Don and his two brothers, Ronald and Johnny, grew up working at their father’s Sinclair Station, and later, Texaco station. At a young age, Don and moved to what were, at that time, the suburbs of Houston in the 1940s. Don grew up in a tiny, 1000 square foot home with his two brothers, four sisters, Shirley, Peggy, Bonnie, and Karen, and his loving parents.

Don grew up on the Northside of Houston, attended and played football at Sam Houston High School, and worked at his father’s Sinclair and Texaco stations on North Main. After graduating high school and a short stint at Sam Houston State University, Don vowed to never go into the gas station business. He grew up changing tires and filling up cars with gas; he believed that was not his life’s calling. He worked for Kri-Pax Baking Company in 1963 and then Coca Cola in the mid-1960s. However, Texaco came calling in the late 1960s and they offered him a location on Interstate 45, just inside Loop 610 at Cavalcade. Don accepted the opportunity and ran that gas station at 2926 North Freeway for 40 years, amongst other business endeavors.

Don was a Christian and devoted family man who dearly loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and all his many friends. He loved to make people laugh and if he could put a smile on your face, it made his day. He was a giving and generous man who never met a stranger. One such way was immaterial; but all those that knew him still have a personalized pen or two or three with his name and phone number. He loved slipping what he called “walking around money” to his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and young friends every opportunity he could.

He spent his last years doing what he loved to do and that was antiquing, going junking, and visiting garage sales. He would go anywhere they were selling old Americana, specifically oil company related items. He loved a bargain and negotiating to get the best deal. He generated quite a collection of memorabilia over the years.

For the last 30 years he spent his life living in Conroe, Texas, where he was able to enjoy his life with his loving wife Leilani. At any time, you could visit Don’s house and inevitably, there was almost always some excitement. He had so many projects happening all at once with friends and family stopping by constantly. He dearly loved the many special dogs he had throughout the years: Princess, Squatty, Sugar (twice), Beau, Bruno, PeeWee, Junior, Baby, and Daisy.

Don truly enjoyed life, and he was fortunate to live the life that he wanted and relished spending his time with others. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed. We know he loved God and today he is in Heaven at the right hand of the Father.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Jewell Faye Moran and Daisy Ruth Hanry Moran, his eldest brother Jerry Moran Briggs, and his two eldest sisters Shirley Moran Petrofsky and Peggy Moran Boyd.

Don is survived by his wife Leilani Elaine Wiener Allen-Moran, his children, Robin Bubel (husband Mark), Don Moran (wife Millie), and John Moran; his stepchildren Darla Fincher, Liesl Schmidt, and Kurt Allen; and his grandchildren Ryan Moran (wife Kelly), Blake Moran (wife Katie) , Jarrett Moran, Collin Moran, Krystin Danchak, Bobby Fincher, Tanner Fincher, Deandra Dutton, Taylor Allen, and Phillip Allen. He is also survived by his siblings, twin brother Ronald Moran, younger brother Johnny Moran, and younger sisters Bonnie Bell and Karen Vastine; great-grandchildren Bejamin Moran, Matthew Moran, Jessica Dutton, Isreal Dutton, and Dylan Dutton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Jason Boyd, Blake Moran, Collin Moran, Jarrett Moran, Ryan Moran, and Richey Roberts. Honorary Pallbearers are Kurt Allen, Taylor Allen, Mark Bubel, Mark Derveloy, Roger Dickey, Gary Johnson, Troy Millican, John Samuel Moran, Ronny Moran, Chuck Sims, Mike Story, and Jerry Whitehead.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. All services will be held at Brookside Funeral Home and Memorial Park.

Blessings to Bristol Hospice and all the wonderful caregivers he had: Cindy, Tim, Doris, and Amber. Our family wishes to send a sincere thank you to all those who sent condolences and prayers in Don’s name.