Donald Stapleton

Donald L. Stapleton, 77, of Southlake, Texas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He and his twin brother, Dale, were born Dec. 13, 1935, in Covington, Ky., to loving parents, Ova and Rose Stapleton.

Don grew up in Covington and graduated from Holmes High School in 1953. He was a member of the National Honor Society and played for the varsity tennis team. He attended the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering prior to embarking on a 42-year career with Procter & Gamble. His career with Procter & Gamble involved assignments in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Texas, where he specialized in human resources management.

He was a part of the startup team during the opening of the Cape Girardeau P&G plant and worked there until transferring to the Folgers Coffee Plant in Sherman, Texas, as personnel director. After several years in Sherman he was promoted and moved to Austin, Texas, as a lobbyist and chief representative of governmental affairs for Procter & Gamble for the state of Texas. After retiring, he and his wife, Mary Lou, moved back to the Dallas area.

He had a continuing interest in current affairs and sporting events. He loved to watch any and all sports and attended many games with friends and family. He was especially interested in the University of Texas football and baseball teams and followed them with great enthusiasm.

Don treasured time at home with his wife and family, and enjoyed his little dogs who provided him endless hours of entertainment and companionship. He often reminisced about his early years in grade school and high school with his twin brother and the fun he had on the tennis court or the "back alley" basketball games.

He loved to travel and spent many summers in Hawaii, which was his favorite place to vacation. He also loved to take his wife to Las Vegas and spend a few days playing the slot machines and dining at the various restaurants.

Don took great pride in his family, and his presence will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou of Southlake; children, Cheryl (Jerry) Stack of Creve Coeur, Mo., David (Linda) Stapleton of Fenton, Mo., Trichele Allen of Bertram, Texas, and Chantaye (Mickey) Patton of Coppell, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jacob Allen, student at the University of Texas in Austin, Hunter Allen with the United States Navy, Luke Patton, Paige Patton and Jack Patton, all of Coppell, Roxanne Stapleton and Derek Stapleton of St. Louis and Jordan Stack of Creve Coeur. He is also survived by his twin brother, Dale (Sylvia) Stapleton, and a niece, Terri Rahm (Curt), all of Grand Junction, Colo.

The funeral is today at Bluebonnet Hills Mortuary in Colleyville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting donations be made in his memory to Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Ste. 105, Fort Worth, TX 76107, or by calling 800-226-0373, or online at chot.org.