Donald Dean Samuelson

1931 - 2021

Donald Dean Samuelson

Donald Dean Samuelson passed away on December 30, 2021, in Denton, Texas. Mr. Samuelson, age 90, was born on August 31, 1931, in Appleton, Minnesota.

In 1949, Mr. Samuelson graduated from Appleton High School. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, and in the Korean War on tour of duty with the U.S.S. Monrovia deployed in the Mediterranean. Upon return, he attended barber school in Fort Worth, Texas, and then moved to Mineral Wells, Texas, where he served in the 49th Armored Division of the Texas Army National Guard at Fort Wolters and was a barber at the Baker Hotel and the Crazy Water Hotel. Later, he moved to Denton where he met and married the former Julia ("Julie") Ann DeLisle of Whitesboro, Texas, and Denton, in 1957. They had two sons, David, and Darrell. Julie preceded him in death in 2002.

Mr. Samuelson worked in Denton initially as a barber, and thereafter had a long career with the U.S. Postal Service. He was an active member of the Denton chapter of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He loved to drive, and in retirement, enjoyed his time delivering for a local pharmacy, driving a DISD bus for special needs children, and as a bus driver for First Baptist Church Denton. He was honored to be a deacon of FBC Denton and served in various ways, including organizing and shipping Sunday school materials to the Philippines. During his life, he also enjoyed all things sports. He was an avid golfer with a number of holes in one to his credit, officiated football, and was head coach of the Coca Cola Pony League baseball team that won the state championship.

In 2007, he married the former Virginia Lee Payne of Appleton, and Overland Park, Kansas. They shared years of love and devotion to one another, family, and friends. She preceded him in death in November of 2021.

Mr. Samuelson is survived by his sons, and their families. David Dean Samuelson and Mary Jane of Houston, Texas, and granddaughter Anne Ellen Samuelson of Houston, and Newport Beach, California. Darrell Ray Samuelson and Tammy, and granddaughters Maci Nicole Samuelson and Madison Grace Samuelson, all of Granbury, Texas. He is also survived by Virginia's four children, twelve grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Further, Mr. Samuelson is survived by his sister Dorothy Louise Samuelson Boerhave of Appleton, and Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and numerous other treasured family members. We are especially grateful for the love and counsel of his nephew, Robert John Samuelson, M.D., of Dallas, Texas, numerous other treasured family members like Jerry & Sue Morgan of Denton and many long time Denton friends like Mr. Walter Owen.

Mr. Samuelson was also preceded in death by his parents, Jorgen ("George") Olaus Samuelson and Evelyn Louise Broadbent Samuelson of Appleton; his brother, Sheldon Hayes Samuelson of Appleton, and Mineral Wells; and, his sister, Shirley Marie Samuelson Berglund of Appleton, and Wilmer, Minnesota. Mr. Samuelson was also blessed to have his aunt and uncle, Adelaide Broadbent Beard and Charles A. Beard of Bemidji, Minnesota, who cared for him through infancy and childhood after his mother's early passing.

A family graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.

The family wishes to thank Good Samaritan Village Lake Forest in Denton and its hospice team. Memorials in honor of Mr. Samuelson may be made to First Baptist Church Denton directed to International Ministries.