Donald J Maison

Donald J. Maison was born May 18, 1947, in Mt. Clemens, MI, and died February 21, 2022, in Dallas, TX. Preceded in death by his parents Donald J. Maison, Sr., Lucille (Crevier) Maison and brother Richard B. Maison. Don attended St. Mary’s Elementary and Austin Catholic Preparatory High School in Michigan. He also attended Augustinian Seminary in South Bend, Indiana.

Don's life in Texas can only be described as progressive activism and community service. He came to Texas from Michigan on April 30, 1969, completing college at University of Texas at Arlington. He then worked as a juvenile probation officer at Dallas County Juvenile Department.

His commitment to Democratic Party politics began with his work on the 1972 George McGovern presidential campaign running the Oak Cliff office in Dallas. While working on the McGovern campaign, Don was inspired to attend law school. In December 1975 he graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio. While at St. Mary’s he founded an independent newsletter, the Witan (a Latin word meaning one who knows, a wise man) to discuss law school issues. The Witan is an early example of his willingness to confront power--the workings of the law school administration. He established funding by selling ads to keep the publishing out of the hands of the Dean. The Witan was definitely a thorn.

When he returned to Dallas he resumed his political activism. In 1976 he led a challenge for progressive delegates to the State Democratic Convention. The challenge was to recognize persons that had been wrongfully excluded from participating as delegates. The challenge was successful, allowing young progressives to become delegates. The win started the swing to progressive leaders in the party. Don went on to organize for a variety of local, statewide and national candidates and was elected as a Ted Kennedy delegate to the 1980 National Democratic Party Convention. Don stayed involved with the Dallas County Democratic Party serving as Precinct Chair, Election Judge and State Democratic Executive Committeeperson from the 16th Senate District, always fighting to be sure all voices were heard.

Maison's law practice also reflected his vision of equality. He met bigotry with litigation when, in 1979, the Dallas police raided the gay bars and arrested men for public lewdness because they were dancing. The most infamous raid is known as the "Village Station Busts". Don represented a number of the defendants who were brave enough to fight and he won those cases either at the trial level or on appeal. The litigation fueled the change in DPD policies affecting its relationship with the LGBT community.

Maison sued Parkland Memorial Hospital on behalf of AIDS patients struggling to access treatment. And access was gained. He represented a man who had been denied an interview at Southwest Airlines because of his sex. He filed a class action suit against Southwest Airlines. He won (after 15 years of litigation – back and forth from the 5th Circuit). He was a dogged fighter.

Don was retained as attorney for PWA Coalition of Dallas when it was founded in spring 1987 and was hired as President/CEO on December 1, 1988. The following May a dba was formed: AIDS Services of Dallas.

Don was a licensed attorney and a former member of the Dallas EMA Health Services Planning Council. He was a past Co-Chair of the National AIDS Housing Coalition, Inc. and served on its Board of Directors. Since 1995, Don had been a member of The Enterprise Foundation Network Advisory Committee and served on the National AIDS Communications Roundtable from 1992-2004. Additionally, he served as a director for the Texas AIDS Network, Inc., a member of the Dallas Homeless Consortium and the Board and Executive Committee of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance. Don retired from AIDS Services of Dallas in February 2019.

Once he got the travel bug he just kept going, enjoying Europe, Asia and South America. Of course, Don was not one to take a long weekend trip; he went for multiple weeks or a month at a time. And he didn’t just travel - he truly engaged in the local culture, traditions and language making lifelong friends. Always preferring public transportation, he was the one on the subway, tram, train or bus ,which is how he met many of those lifelong friends. He never came home empty handed, always bringing treasures, some of which he generously gave to friends and colleagues. He enjoyed studying Spanish and teaching ESL.

Don is survived by his partner, Richmond Morris in Houston, TX; sisters Joan Maison Dopp in Harrison Township, MI, Lisa Maison Ceunick and husband Richard in Grosse Point Park, MI, Kathleen Maison Cohen in San Mateo, CA; and sister-in-law Mary Maison in Battle Creek, MI.

A private service will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to ASD at https://www.aidsdallas.org/make-a-donation/

Interviews and additional information available at http://www.thedallasway.org/stories

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Maison family.