Don Allan Hartfiel

Don Allan Hartfiel, 84, peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Don was born as a "Thanksgiving gift" on November 27, 1940, in Rosenberg, Texas – the baby brother of a family of five. He graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School, where he met the love of his life, Jeanette Ripple. Don and his "Jeanne" were married on August 16, 1963, and spent sixty-one beautiful years together. They were blessed with two children, Amy and Scot.
Don earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Texas A&M College, Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '66. After graduating, he began a successful 52-year career as a registered architect, leaving his mark throughout Houston, Fort Bend County, and the Hill Country. Don's designs – including churches, private homes, community centers, city facilities, fire stations, the covered fairground arena, and the George Ranch Visitor's Center – touched the lives of so many. After beginning his career at Heidbreder Architecture and Wisdom Architects in Houston, Don and his family moved to Marble Falls in the mid-1970s to collaborate with his friend and fellow architect, Boyce Tucker. While the entire family enjoyed their time in the Hill Country, they returned to Fort Bend County in 1980, where Don opened his sole practitioner office, Don A. Hartfiel AIA. Here, he was able to design his favorite project – the Hartfiel family home. Planting their roots in the community where they grew up, Don and Jean raised their children, reconnected with long-time friends, and eventually built memories with their grandchildren in this beautiful house.
Don was a kind, gentle soul and a natural care giver. Effortlessly cool, even his grandchildren remember him rocking his iconic mustache and driving the brand-new Mustang he won in Lake Charles. Don had an infectious passion for cars and racing – traveling to the Indianapolis 500 with Jean and never missing a NASCAR race. He always loved being near the water and loved to fish. He was an artist at heart, as was evident in the drawings passed to Jean in their high school hallways, the townscape sketches from college, and the hundreds of amazing, hand-drawn birthday and anniversary cards. Don's lasting legacy will be the love he gave to his family and the bond they all share in his love.
Don will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, H.O. and Magnolia Hartfiel, and his two sisters, Frances Wayne Culbertson and Barbara Chachere. Don is survived by his loving wife, Jeannette, his daughter, Amy Hastings and her husband Bruce, and his son, Scot Hartfiel and his wife Staci. He is also survived by his five grandchildren – Ashlyn Hartfiel, Caroline Hastings, Ryan Hartfiel, Catherine Hastings and fiancé Kaden Grantham, and Harrison Hastings.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2025, at St. John's United Methodist Church in Richmond. A reception will follow in Wendt Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Don's name to St. John's United Methodist Church's Stained Glass Restoration project.