DONALD EDWARD MOCK

Donald Edward Mock passed from a short and vicious battle with pancreatic cancer on Feb. 11, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Mock, and his mother, Colleen (Covell) Mock. He leaves behind five children, including Tracy Pitre, Charles 'Cowboy' Mock, Merritt Mock, Kelli Hart (Jason) and Benjamin 'Ace' Mock (Cheyenne), two sisters, Bobbie Sue White and Kathy (Robert) Lee, and several grandchildren, all of whom were his favorite prank victims, wrestling partners, students, and captive audiences. Donald spent most of his life in south Texas, although he never turned down the opportunity to adventure outside of his typical boundaries with anyone who had half a reason or a full tank of gas.Donald was born September 1, 1951 in San Antonio and took his role as middle child and only son (therefore the troublemaker) very seriously. If the adage he repeated often was true that he "only teased you because he loved you", he treasured his siblings and nearly everyone he encountered dearly. Donald grew up in San Antonio with a band of cousins and high school friends that were close enough to be extra siblings. He enjoyed retelling stories of his childhood mischief, some of which might have bordered misdemeanors in hindsight. He worked as a licensed residential and small commercial irrigator after graduating from his beloved alma mater, Burbank High School, where he devoted as little time to the formal education process and as much time to the Burbank FFA, high school rodeo, and general shenanigans as possible.Donald subscribed strongly in "working to live" and would have rather spent his days outside working with horses or playing various games with his children, most of which were made up on the spot. He believed strongly that too many children, at least one horse and one Catahoula Leopard dog, and a mason jar full of tea were the basics of a good life and spent most of his days that way. Donald took immense pride in his children, loved teaching them what he knew about showing animals and raising horses, and could always be counted on to brag on their successes.

Those who knew him best knew that the pride he had with his children compounded tenfold with his grandchildren, and he was never happier than when he was spending time with one of them, teaching them something, impressing them with his knowledge of Jeopardy! questions, or entertaining someone new with an anecdote of something impressive or hilarious one of his grandchildren did. They were truly his greatest treasure, and he often said "if I had known grandkids were so much fun, I would have had them first!"Donald was a man full of talents, who never opted out of an opportunity to showcase them, whether it was playing guitar and singing in several various church praise and worship bands, acting as the ensured comedic riot in many of LV Shoestring Stage Production plays, donning his cowboy gear for the South Texas Gunfighter Association acts as "Shorty Britches", or making a new friend at one of his favorite local haunts to tell the same stories to as his family has heard them all before.Given the recent Covid-19 circumstances, his family has chosen to delay a celebration of life until everyone can safely gather and have the party that Donald would have chosen to have, complete with tea and Evan Williams, dominoes, and retelling of stories (especially so his children can confirm or deny some of the validity of the stories they have grown up being told). Donald will be cremated and spread by his children, as requested. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to either the Pancreatic Cancer Society (www.pancan.org) or to the Burbank FFA.