Donald Leroy "Don, Donnie" Spangler

San Benito, TX - Don Spangler Obituary

Donald Leroy Spangler (known as Donnie or Don to friends and family) was born in San Benito, TX to Donald Vincent and Katherine Spangler. Don grew up, and spent decades living, in the original Spangler family residence. He is preceded in death by his mother, father and 2 brothers, Patrick Spangler and Thomas Hendrix.

Don is survived by his daughter, Samantha Spangler; his son, Anthony Spangler; his grandchildren, his former wife, Barbara Spangler Stone; one brother, Mike Spangler (Madeleine) and sister-in-law, Penny Hendrix.

Those who knew him would say Don was a carefree, funny guy who enjoyed motorcycle riding, listening to John Cougar Mellencamp, fishing, surfing and all things South Padre Island. He took pride in, and very much loved, his children and his South Texas roots. Until the year of his death, Don never ventured far from his family home in San Benito.

Sadly, following a short-lived relocation, Don met an uncertain death in the New Orleans, Louisiana area in 1991 at the age of 37. After decades of tirelessly searching for answers, with technological advancements in DNA and the help of a dedicated few, reunification of his remains and closure for his family have finally been made possible.

A private graveside service will be held where after 35 long years Don will be laid to rest near his parents and grandparents at the Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in La Feria, TX.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the dedicated team at the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, including a young deputy and specialist, Madison Capello, who picked up a very old cold case, re-ran some critical data, tirelessly researched, then provided this gift of closure and Detective Garrett Keith, who not only delivered the long-awaited news to the family, but has also patiently supported the family as his investigation on this reopened cold case continues.

It took many parties to make this moment possible. The family would also like to thank Mary Manheim, for founding the FACES laboratory at LSU, along with her facial reconstruction expertise many years ago; Parabon NanoLabs; Marshall University; DNA Investigative Solutions; the NamUS (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System); connections through Ancestry.com and Jim Pitts at the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home in San Benito, TX.

Contributions in Don's memory may be made to FACES laboratory (https://give.lsufoundation.org/campaigns/66873/donations/new) or DNA Investigative Solutions (https://dnainvestigativesolutions.com/).

Anyone with information that could be helpful to this reopened cold case, please reach out to Detective Garrett Keith at gkeith@ascensionsheriff.com.