Donald D. Deardorff

1925 - 2010

Donald D. Deardorff, 85, a retired design engineer with General Dynamics and an artist, peacefully completed his journey on earth at his home, with his family, on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, in Fort Worth. This followed a long battle with a series of health problems. Celebration of life: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W. Broadway Ave., where a brief reception will follow. Interment: Private in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: The family will host a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, you may honor Don through a donation in his name at a charity of choice, by giving to Broadway Baptist Church, or Texas Health Integra Hospice. Don was born March 13, 1925, in McPherson, Kan., the 11th of 12 children, to Nancy Belle Smith Deardorff and George Clarence Deardorff. He grew up in the Oklahoma panhandle on a wheat farm. The family moved to Greenville, Ill., in 1942 and shortly thereafter he entered U.S. Naval officer's training school. Don served as an officer in the Navy during World War II and at the completion of the war he entered the University of North Texas where he met Dorothy Gray Carnegie, his wife of 59 years. While at UNT, Don captained the basketball team as well as earning bachelor and master degrees. Don's career was threefold as a designer for Container Corporation, a design engineer for General Dynamics as well as an artist. He even designed and built his family's homes. His painting colleagues included members of the Fort Worth Circle, and his works can be found hanging in many Fort Worth homes. His artistic talents extended to painting, teaching art lessons and running an import business. Upon retirement from General Dynamics, Don’s love of art continued by volunteering his time teaching art classes with mentally challenged individuals through Tarrant County Mental Health Mental Retardation Services. Don's avocations included traveling, playing bridge, rock collecting and reading. He became enamored with Mexico, National Parks and the American Southwest. Don's thrill in planning a vacation exceeded the trip itself. Don's greatest gift was his ability to connect with others using humor. He never missed an opportunity to pull someone's leg and didn't take himself too seriously. Don delighted in the company of his granddaughters especially since he found new targets for his jests. His selfless acts and generous spirit will be lovingly remembered. Survivors: Wife, Dorothy Deardorff; children, Dylan Deardorff and companion, Will Edmondson, and Daralynn Deardorff and husband, Walter Hatter; grandchildren, Joye Deardorff Hatter and Hope Deardorff Hatter; sister, Joye Lee Deardorff.