Donald Ralph Filter of Union Valley, Texas went peacefully to his heavenly home surrounded by his loving family on May 17, 2023 after a 2-year battle with multiple myeloma.
Don was born on July 30, 1943 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Ralph and Kathryn Filter. Don graduated from West Side High School in 1961 in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduation, he went to work for Western Electric for a short period of time before joining the U.S. Navy. After serving 4 years in the Navy, he attended college and returned to work at Western Electric as an engineer in the Dallas area, where he retired as a Manager at age 57.
Don moved to Texas in 1970 with his first wife, Marty, where they raised their 3 beautiful daughters. He was a wonderful father. He loved and accepted his role as patriarch and tolerated every whim of his children, be it, the multitude of chickens, rabbits, ducks, horses, cats, dogs, motorcycles, and go-carts. With 3 driving teenage girls, his services were always required as an on-demand mechanic and body shop. Even as his children grew up and married, he was always willing to drop everything and help.
In 1985, Don married Barbara Garner and they spent 37 happy years together. Don and Barbara lived in Mesquite and then moved to Union Valley in 2006. With Don’s early retirement, he was able to spend plenty of time doing things he loved. He enjoyed fixing things, woodworking, mowing the yard, fishing, camping, and playing cards with friends on a Saturday night. He loved his dog Toby the most. He enjoyed a good Snuffers burger and a beer with his good friend, Al. His favorite thing to do was to cook breakfast outside at a campground. His family could always count on him to smoke a delicious brisket for family gatherings. He definitely had a sweet tooth and loved Oreos and chocolate cake. He loved his family and would host Christmas Eve every year at his home for the extended family. Don was always there to help his friends and family. He loved to go to South Texas in the winter, relax and lay in the sun. He is even immortalized in an aerial photo of South Padre Island which is hanging in the entryway of their home. At the end of his life, he spent hours watching and rewatching old westerns and Andy Griffith.
Don will be greatly missed by his wife, Barbara; children Suzanne Hajdu and husband John of Rockwall, TX, Debbie Pollard and husband Lonnie of Heath, TX and Christie Loven and husband Mike of Wills Point, TX; James ‘Red’ Anderson and wife Janet of Campbell, TX and Lisa Hart and Michael of Cumby, TX. Grandchildren Tanner and Kennedy Hajdu, Jacob and Julia Pollard, MacKenzie and Cade Loven, Jordan Anderson and Tony Brooks, Candy Hart, Courtney and Basanta Pandey; Great grandchildren Stella Self and Keelan Brooks; Siblings, Pam Filter of Florissant, CO; Bob Filter and wife, Debbie of Trapper Creek, AK; nephew Joshua Filter and great nephew, Riley Filter of Trapper Creek, AK; Brother-in-law, Gerald Garner and wife, Corlette of Brashear, TX, brother in law, Dick Sage of Castle Rock, CO and niece, Jackie Sage and husband, Mark of CO. Beloved dog Gunnar and a host of extended family and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, uncle Ben, sisters, Sandi Filter and Georgia Sage, and brother Arnie Filter.
Don’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 17th at 1:00pm at Terrell Christian Country Church, 22130 FM 429, Terrell, TX.
*Obituary was written by Mr. Filter’s loving family.
