Donn C. Fullenweider

Donn C. Fullenweider
01/25/1935 - 04/17/2023
Donn C. Fullenweider, a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather and an accomplished attorney died on April 17, 2023 at the age of 88.
Donn was born on January 25, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Ann and Russell Fullenweider. He grew up in Chicago, where he graduated from St. George High School. One of his favorite jobs was working as a lifeguard at Oak Street Beach on Lake Michigan. He followed his family to Houston in 1953 and enrolled at the University of Houston. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Houston, graduating with his J.D. in 1958. As an undergraduate, Donn helped found the local chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, remaining an active and loyal alum throughout his life.
After serving in the Air National Guard, Donn started his legal career working for Fred Parks, a renowned trial lawyer. He left Parks in 1965 to form a partnership with his law school friend, Richard "Racehorse" Haynes. Donn thoroughly enjoyed his 24-year partnership with Haynes and together they built Haynes & Fullenweider into one of the elite litigation firms in Houston. As his practice progressed, Donn realized that he wanted to focus exclusively on family law. When asked why, he replied, "I've always thought I could help these people who are hurting, confused, and frightened, and caught up in a legal system that they don't understand." In 2008, he formed a partnership with his long-time friend, Randall Wilhite. Together Donn and Randy grew Fullenweider Wilhite into one of the premier family law firms in the nation. Donn loved mentoring and working on cases alongside his colleagues at Fullenweider Wilhite. In all, his legal career spanned 65 years, and he maintained an active practice until his death.
Known for his exceptional professionalism, Donn was a titan in the courtroom and a powerful advocate for his clients but also a consummate gentleman. He was an inspiring mentor and trusted friend to many who had the opportunity to work alongside him. He was deeply committed to his clients and made their concerns his own. Attorneys across the country, will remember Donn for his integrity, his passion for the law and his calm but persuasive advocacy.
Donn's abilities earned him countless awards and recognition from his peers. In 2004, he was inducted into the Hall of Legends by the State Bar of Texas. In 2009, he was given the David A. Gibson Award for Professionalism and Excellence in Family Law and was named Texas Family Lawyer of the Year. In 2010, he was named as one of the 25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century, and in 2016 he was named an Outstanding Fifty-Year Lawyer by the State Bar of Texas. Later that year, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Lawyer.
Donn founded the Texas State Bar Litigation Section, serving as its first chairman; the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute; the American Inns of Court–Houston Family Law Inn, serving as the organization's first President. He also served as President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas. Donn was a Fellow in the International Academy of Family Lawyers and was one of only three Houston Diplomats in the American College of Family Trial Lawyers.
The Fullenweider family remembers Donn for his loving devotion to family and his utter and complete delight in the presence of his grandchildren. His steadfast, quiet, determined manner was a rock on which his family and colleagues could steady themselves. For more than 20 years, he and Wendy made Castine, Maine their second home where they were surrounded by close friends and Donn enjoyed sailing on Penobscot Bay. He had a strong sense of style and love for convertibles, jazz, classical music, and photography. Donn was a lifelong swimmer, keeping up the skills and fitness he learned long ago as a lifeguard in Chicago.
Donn also was a talented artist. He had a keen interest in art and art history throughout his life. In his 60s, he took up painting alongside Wendy, who is an accomplished artist. Donn appreciated the beauty that art brought to the world, and the tremendous emotions that art can convey. He spent much of his free time in the studio, doing what he loved.
Donn was a member of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Trinity Episcopal Church in Castine, Maine, River Oaks Country Club and Castine Golf Club.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Wendy Fullenweider, his son Keith Fullenweider, Keith's wife Pam, grandchildren Will
Fullenweider and wife Hayley, Kate Fullenweider and Sarah Fullenweider, Wendy's son, Ben Cornwell, Ben's wife Lisa, grandchildren Cooper and Piper Cornwell, and Donn's sister Ann Kennedy and her five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Russell Fullenweider, and his brother-in-law and great friend, Bob Kennedy.
A memorial service honoring Donn's life will be held at St. Martin's Episcopal Church on Wednesday, April 26, at 10:00 am.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Donn C. Fullenweider Endowed Scholarship at the University of Houston Law Foundation c/o University of Houston Law Center, Office of Alumni Relations, 4170 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204-6060 or online at giving.uh.edu/law.