Donald Barton Hay

Don was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Galen Louis Hay of Borger, TX and his wife, Betty Hay of Raleigh, North Carolina as well as his brother, Dean Hay and sister Mary Jeanne Cooke. He is survived by daughters Cathy Hay Gillespie (Ed) of Alexandria, VA and Susan Hay Rather (Hank) of Wake Forest, NC and grandchildren John Gillespie (Amanda) of Los Angeles, CA; Carrie Gillespie of Alexandria, VA; Andrew Rather (Cassie Sun) of Cary, NC, Mollie Gillespie of Los Angeles, CA, great grandson Jack Gillespie of Los Angeles, CA and many nieces and nephews.

Don was born in Highland, Kansas and raised in Borger, Texas. He graduated from Borger High School in 1954, where he made lifelong friendships with David Thompson, Mark Clapp, Jim McGraw and Don Ray Martin. He was a 1958 graduate of Texas Tech University, with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Don went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 1964 and a Master of Business Administration in 1983, both from SMU.

As a student at Texas Tech Don met the love of his life, Betty Sue Howard. They married in 1959 in Dallas and raised their family on Pomona Road, Northaven Road and finally Hanover Street in Dallas, Texas and University Park, respectively. Don and Betty moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2007 to be closer to family.

Don was first and foremost a devoted husband and loving father of his two daughters, actively involved in their lives. He was generous with his time, helping his daughters with their homework, especially science and math, and as an enthusiastic “band parent”— always ready with a camera to document the award-winning Highland Park High School Highlander Band performances. In later years, Don served as the primary caregiver of Betty, dedicated to ensuring her last few years were filled with love and happiness.

When Cathy and Susan had children of their own Don became a doting grandfather, “Pop Pop,” of John, Carrie, Andy and Mollie, taking them to the Texas State Fair, the water park and other adventures. Andy was blessed to grow up near “Pop Pop” and “Pop Pop” made frequent visits to Virginia and Long Beach Island, New Jersey to visit John, Carrie and Mollie. In 2023, Don was thrilled by the birth of his great grandson, Jack and cherished the time he spent with him.

Don’s career as an electrical engineer spanned from the 1950’s to the late 1990’s and included positions at Texas Instruments, Scientific Control Corp., UTL Corporation and DSC Communications. Drawing on years of experience and education, Don was a mentor to younger/newer employees, with one saying Don was “the greatest boss a young engineer coming out of school could have wanted,” and that “he'd make time to talk things through with you but let you solve your problems.”

Don loved his country and was an avid genealogical researcher, tracing his roots back to the Revolutionary War, and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Dallas Chapter #2, Texas SAR.

A man of faith, Don was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Chapel Hills Presbyterian Church in Dallas, serving on many committees, as a Sunday School teacher and ultimately as a Deacon. In his later years, Don was a member of Wake Forest Presbyterian Church.

A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh at 11:00 am Eastern.

The family is requesting contributions in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Constituting America, P.O. Box 1988, Colleyville, Texas, 76034, or by using the link below, under 'Donations', or to a favorite charity.

If you would like to leave a favorite message / story of Don, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.