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BORN
1940
DIED
2006
Don McNiel Obituary
Memorial service: 1 p.m. Wednesday in Clayton Kay-Vaughan Funeral Chapel in Alvarado.
Don graduated high school in 1958, then attended Arlington State for one year before opening his first auto supply store in Euless. Within the next 10 years, he had opened 10 more stores across the Metroplex. In 1969, he opened Computer Circuitry and in 1971 Master Calculator, which he sold in the mid-70s. Don ran for U.S. Congress in 1976 and again in 1986 and 1988. He invented the Vibra Pillow in 1981 marketing it through Specialty Advertising Association and winning the Best Gift Award. In 1982, he invented the Little Pal Grill, which was marketed to Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Kroger, etc. He ran for Congress again in 1986-1988. Don also served on a number of boards and was a past president of Cleburne Memorial Hospital. Don continued with other businesses until his retirement in 2004.
Don will greatly be missed by family, friends and all who knew him.
Survivors: Wife, Claudia McNiel of Hurst; sons, Rod McNiel of Alvarado and Mark McNiel of Tolar; daughter, Amy Massey of Burleson; father, Marshall McNiel of Hurst; stepmother, Mary McNiel; sister, Marsha Cay McDuff of South Lake; grandchildren; Trey, Seth and Hudson; stepgrandchildren, Cindi and David; stepsons, Bryan Wilson of Arlington and Darrell Wilson of Hurst; and a world of friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don McNiel
Jonathan Gillis
March 1, 2025
Hi Amy , Sorry to hear about your dad. I just watched a documentary about what happened in 1985. Your seemed like an amazing father.
Sandra (Moore) Horton
May 8, 2006
Rod, Mark, and Amy, I was shocked to learn of Don's passing. I know you will cherish many happy memories that will keep your father alive in your hearts. My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
Greg and Kathy Rayborn
May 3, 2006
Amy and family- We are sorry to hear of your father's passing. Please know that you will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Wayne Beard
May 2, 2006
Having known Don and Claudia all too briefly, I just wanted to express my condolences and respect for them and their family.
Rod Parker
May 2, 2006
Rod, Mark and all the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. GOD is good, and he will give you all that you need to weather this storm.
Larry R. Ayers
May 2, 2006
To the family of Don McNiel, our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with you. There are so many special memories while we were friends and neighbors for the many years in Alvarado.
Kathleen Gould
May 2, 2006
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fred Keller
May 2, 2006
It was a great shock to learn of Don's death. We considered him a young man and it is always disagreeable when a life ends prematurely. We also considered Don a friend, though from long ago. Still, there are good memories of conversations and shared ambitions.
Our sympathies, thoughts, prayers go out to you family members who are left to remember him. He was yours for a little while, and I know you loved him well. . . .
Judy and Mark Davenport
May 2, 2006
So sorry to read of Don's passing. His family is in our thoughts and prayers. We have fond memories of many of them when we both worked for Computer Circuitry/Master Calculator.
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