Donald J. DeDitius

Donald J. DeDitius was born in East St. Louis, MO to Louise (Roth) and Lester F. DeDitius on April 23, 1936 and passed away peacefully on August 15, 2017. He graduated from Webster Groves High School in Missouri in 1954, where he was vice president of his class and leader of his own band, ‘Don Deets and his Orchestra.’ Don was close to his high school friends throughout his life and never missed a class reunion. In 1958, Don graduated from Columbia University in New York, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Following graduation, he married Joan Meade of Ireland, and they were happily married for 48 years until her death in 2006. An avid musician, Don played trombone in various quartets and symphony orchestras, as well as the New York City Band. Don became an account executive for Doyle Dane Bernbach during the “mad men” era of the 1960’s. He loved telling stories of his New York advertising days.

Don and Joan also lived in Wilmette, IL where Don worked for Quaker Oats and Gillette. In 1972, he transferred to Dallas with Anderson Clayton Foods and later worked for Tracy-Locke Advertising Agency as a Vice President. In 1980, Don started his own agency with his partners–Pierce, DeDitius & Galyean (PD&G). PD&G evolved to become one of the top US medical agencies servicing clients throughout the US and Europe. When PD&G was acquired by a larger agency in 1998, Don retired.

Don and Joan traveled the world, and he and Joan were past presidents of the Dallas Irish American Society. Don continued playing trombone in jazz clubs and numerous groups for charity. He was treasurer and student recruiter for the North Dallas Columbia Alumni Club and a member of the Catholic Community of St. Rita’s for over 40 years, serving as a lector and active in the Men’s Club.

In 2003, Don was accepted to Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He volunteered at the Dallas Public Defender’s Office and earned the Equal Justice Award for 389 pro bono hours, the most in his class. Don graduated in 2007 at age 71.

Don’s life was full of laughter and he made life-long friends wherever he went. He always said ‘A story wasn’t worth telling, if it wasn’t worth embellishing.’ He was a Renaissance man, most remembered for his sense of humor, passion for learning, optimism, generosity, friendships, and love and pride in his family. Don is survived by his brother James DeDitius (Sherry) of Mattawan, MI; four children: John & Michelle DeDitius of Lorton, VA; Maureen & Steve Tickner of Plano, TX; Susan & Michael Broderick of Zionsville, IN; Jennifer & Stephen Dunson of Glen Rose, TX; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A vigil and rosary will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home on Friday, August 18, at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Dallas on Saturday, August 19, at 1pm. Memorials can be made to The National Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org.