Don Allen Weitinger

Don Allen Weitinger passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, the 3rd of November 2012. Don was born on the 30th of March 1934 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to John Chastain “Pete” Weitinger and Eula Faye Williams Weitinger. He moved to Houston when he was four and has been a resident of Houston for over 74 years. He was very proud of his public school education and graduated from Lamar High School in 1952. He continued his higher education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he graduated with a B.A. in 1956 and received his J.D. in 1958.

Don loved being a trial lawyer and most especially defending and preserving the cherished right to a jury trial. His closing arguments and expert cross-examinations were truly legendary. While his home base was in Houston, you could find him in any county courthouse throughout Texas for over 53 years. He was a maverick in the court room successfully completing in excess of 600 jury verdicts - a feat which is nearly impossible for young trial lawyers to accomplish today. If you asked him what he did for a living, he would tell you that he was a country boy lawyer, usually introducing himself as “Don Weitinger, Boy Lawyer.” Don served on the National Board of Directors for the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) for many years and was president of the Houston chapter ABOTA.

Don had a keen mind and was constantly learning. If Don was not working on a case, he was tinkering in his garage. He had more hobbies and tools known to man. His favorite hobby was hunting and fishing. He loved to hunt but Marfa, Texas was his heart. He continuously held a hunting lease on the Miller Ranch for over 45 years. He became an expert and excelled at every topic that interested him. He competed in a big and small bore rifle sanction and won NRA shooting metals for 1,000 yards in 1968. He placed 15th out of 100 competitors while participating in a cross country motor-cross race to Vegas.

Don was a true, modern day Renaissance man, mentor and teacher. He knew no strangers and was kind to everyone he met. His passing has left a large void in the hearts of all who knew him. His sense of humor and laughter will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his soul mate and loving wife of 34 years, Beverly Kelly Weitinger; his three talented and beautiful daughters, Dona Weitinger Garrett, Carrie Weitinger Tripp and husband, Tom and Leslie Kay Weitinger and partner, Christina Dumlao. His son, Craig Allen Weitinger, preceded his death. Don cherished his five grandchildren, Tiara Weitinger Liles, Layne Weitinger Garrett, Reece Rebecca Garrett, Reid McCain Johnston, Callie Evan Johnston and his 2 year old great-grandson, Ayden Allen Liles. They will miss his “Big Daddy breakfast” and homemade ice cream! Don loved and adored his brother, John Wade Weitinger, and wife, Claudia of Houston and his sister, Gay Weitinger Herrin, and husband, Ronnie of Lubbock, niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past four o’clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Friday, the 9th of November, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The interment service is to be conducted at half-past eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 10th of November, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street in Houston. A uniformed steward from Geo. H. Lewis & Sons is to be positioned at the entrance drive, so as to guide guests to the interment site.

The memorial service, in celebration of Don's life, is to follow, at one o'clock in the afternoon, also on Saturday, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Afterwards, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Don’s name may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.