Don E. Leiser

Don E. LeiserCorpus Christi, TXDon E. Leiser, 82, passed away on October 9, 2014. Born in Joliet, Illinois on November 7, 1931, he grew up on a farm outside Lockport, Illinois and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School. Don entered the Navy in January of 1952. While serving at Barber's Point in Oahu, Hawaii, Don attended Combat Air Crew School. He was transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas in August 1954. Less than a month after his arrival in Corpus Christi, he met the love of his life, Corinne Khoury. One year after his arrival Don and Corinne were married at St. Patrick's Church on September 17, 1955. After his discharge in 1956, they lived in Lockport, Illinois. They moved back to Corpus Christ in 1959 and Don graduated from Del Mar Junior College. He was hired by Coastal States Refinery (old Sinclair) in 1962. He started as a laborer and worked his way up to 1st Class Instrument Mechanic. In October of 1973, he was hired by Reynolds Metals as an Instrument Supervisor. In 1978 he was promoted to Instrument General Supervisor and in 1979 he designed their new Instrument Shop. In January of 1980, he was picked as 1 of 28 Reynolds Metals People worldwide to go to Perth, Western Australia, to design and build the Worsley Alumina Plant. In 1986, Don returned to Corpus Christi and retired from Reynolds Metals. He spent his next ten working years contract to the Coastal States Refinery and retired in 1996. Don was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Agnes (Hester) Leiser, sister, Shirley Rose and brothers Joseph Francis and Joseph George, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Corinne, sons Laurence 'Larry' Joseph (Yupha) and William 'Bill' Patrick (Melora) and daughters, Leanne Marie Mulholland, Mary Therese (Russ) Lessmann and Donna Jean (Mark) DeGaish. As well as his sisters Janet Corinne 'Dolly' Militello and Sharon Rose (James) Bruce and 'daughters' Deborah Kearns Leiser and Susan Celeste Grobe. 'Pops' 15 grandchildren are: Cory Leiser, Jacob Mulholland, Kristen Leiser, Megan Mulholland Monroe, Kaili DeGaish (Ryan) Skrobarczyk, Patrick Leiser, Elizabeth Mulholland, Jordan DeGaish, Allison Leiser, Parker Lessmann, Sarah Leiser, Mitchell Lessmann, Hannah DeGaish, Pang Leiser and Benk Leiser and many nieces and nephews. Also one great grandchild, Nevaeh Celeste. He was an active member of St. Pius X Men's Club, Breakfast Club, Bridge group and many other organizations in Corpus Christi. He also volunteered for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Vickery Meadow Learning Center in Dallas, Texas. Don claimed to be Notre Dame's biggest 'wannabe'. He was an avid NY Times crossword puzzle solver, loved tests and problems, devoted bridge and poker player with his regular groups and had many 'Popsism' sayings.He loved and admired women's hats and has requested that the women attending the memorial service try to wear their best hat.On Monday, October 13, 2014, a Rosary will be recited at St. Pius X Church, 5620 Gollihar Road, Corpus Christi, Texas at 10:15 AM followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM. The family will host a luncheon in the St. Pius Hall after the service.Don requested that donations be made to the St. Pius X Men's Club, the St. Pius X Youth or any charity you support.