Donald Frederick Van Leeuwen

Don was born to Harold and Margaret (Doyle) Van Leeuwen on January 15, 1935 in Boston, MA, and was the youngest of six children. His childhood years were spent in Franklin, MA, where he was active in Boy Scouts and Civil Air Patrol. After graduating from Franklin High School in 1953, Don entered the military and served five and half years in the U.S. Air Force.

While Don was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, he met Barbara Sawatzky, an OU nursing student from Clinton, OK, and they married in 1957. Over the years, they lived in Muskogee, OK; Tulsa, OK; Attleboro MA; Lakewood, OH; and eventually North Attleborough, MA. During this time they had four children: Donald, Bryan, Marilyn, and John. Although their marriage ended, Don and Barbara remained friends until her passing in 2014.

Don married Orvella “Bunnie” Poulter in 1981, and they made their home in San Antonio, TX. During their marriage, they enjoyed entertaining, traveling to various countries, attending church, and taking care of their pet dogs. Don and Bunnie were married for 40 years until her recent passing in December 2022.

All those who knew Don, knew that he was goal-driven in his approach. He was a hard worker and eager to learn the ins-and-outs of any job he undertook. With ambition and drive, and an aptitude for sales, he climbed the career ladder and had an extensive career as Vice-President of Sales with the Kirby Co. and Church’s Chicken, then as Executive Sales Director with RexAir LLC. He received numerous awards for achievement, one of which was setting a company record as Regional Sales Distributor of the Month for 10 consecutive months in 1985, and serving as a Senior Executive Sales Consultant to the company president from 2007-2014. As an innovator, he developed the Southwest Region Demo book and formed the Southwest VIP Club. In his latter years, he served as a key sales consultant before retiring in 2014.

Throughout this time, Don was involved in real estate, owning several properties in North Attleborough, MA and San Antonio, TX. A true motivator, Don once owned a boat, which he named “Charisma” reflecting the nature of his personality.

Don enjoyed his work, which included travel throughout the U.S. and places such as South America, Australia, Ireland, etc. Throughout his career, Don willingly helped and advised many others in pursuing their own career goals and enjoyed seeing others succeed. He was a generous man who enjoyed giving back, whether it was financially or with a personal visit. It was not uncommon for Don to donate to his church or invite others who did not have family nearby to his home to share in a holiday meal. He and Bunnie had a fondness for animals and always treated their pet dogs as a part of their family, and often donated to the ASPCA. He was active in the Civitan Club, Knights of Columbus, and a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Don was not all work and no play, but had a sense of humor as well, and enjoyed entertaining others and telling his favorite jokes. After years of traveling, Don was content to have his family and friends visit, his dog and iced coffee beside him, and a good John Wayne movie on tv.

To our Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, friend, and neighbor – you will always be a part of our cherished memories. Rest in peace.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Harold A. and Margaret L. Van Leeuwen; brothers John, James, Adrian, Gerard Van Leeuwen; and one sister, Virginia Landry; a son, Bryan L. Van Leeuwen; and his wife, Bunnie Van Leeuwen.

Survivors include his children, Donald F. Van Leeuwen, Jr. and wife Lisa of Weatherford, OK; Marilyn Van Leeuwen of Fulton, MO; John Van Leeuwen and wife Karen of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren Sarah, Bryan, Ryan, and Kate Van Leeuwen; one great-grandson Roman Van Leeuwen; and many nieces and nephews.

VISITATIONTUESDAY, JUNE 20, 20235:30-7:30 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EASTSAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

FUNERAL MASSWEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 202310 A.M.HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH20523 HUEBNER ROADSAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

FINAL RESTING PLACEHOLY CROSS CEMETERY17501 NACOGDOCHES ROADSAN ANTONIO, TEXAS