Notes |
- Donald Clifford Sewall, 86, passed away June 15, 2012 in Hillsboro, Texas, which had been his home since 1955. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 19, at Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro with Rev. Darrel Beggs officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors.
Don was born on October 3, 1925 in Neenah, Wisconsin, the oldest son of eight children born to Arnold Roy and Veronica (Lehrer) Sewall. Upon turning 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during his senior year at Menasha High School. He served our country in the Pacific during World War II aboard the LST 580.
After the war, Don attended Wisconsin Institute of Technology and the Missouri School of Mines (University of Missouri - Rolla) and earned a bachelor's degree in mining engineering. In 1950, he began his career as an engineer in Idaho and after a year moved to Texas to continue his career. There he met Evelyn Ann Routh, his loving bride of 59 years. They were married on May 30, 1953 in Zephyr, TX.
In June of 1955, the couple moved to Hillsboro where Don began his 20 year career with the Texas Highway Department. He helped to construct several roads and bridges in Hill and McLennan Counties, including Interstate 35. At that time they also joined Central Baptist Church in Hillsboro, where they have remained active members. From 1976 through 1980, he was employed by URS/Forest and Cotton, Inc., where he was the project engineer responsible for building the dams for Lake Bob Sandlin in Pittsburg, TX and Coleto Creek Lake in Victoria, TX. He was appointed the regional engineer for the pipeline utilities division of the North Central Texas region of the Texas Railroad Commission in 1981.
With his retirement in April of 1987, Don began his volunteer career of nearly 20 years in which he helped to build over 100 churches in Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Canada with the Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders. He also volunteered his time teaching adults to read. Don served as the Commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, and was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge.
Left to honor Don are his wife, Evelyn of Hillsboro; four children, Thomas A. Sewall and wife, Marilyn, John A. Sewall and wife, Vanita, Donna Sewall Dockall and husband, Gary, and Richard J. Sewall and wife, Lisa; nine grandchildren, Veronica Steadman and husband, Patrick, Andrea Nors and husband, Aaron, Sarah Sewall, Amanda Sewall, Scott Sewall and wife, Anna, Matthew Dockwall, Rebecca Dockwall, Christina Sewall, and Leeann Dockall; five great-grandchildren, Preston, Caleb, Austin, Kylee and Dillan; two brothers, Fredrick J. Sewall and wife, Carol and Clair Sewall; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Gordon, James, Arnold, and David Sewall; and his sister, Priscilla D'Amour. Don will be remembered and missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders; 5351 Catron; Dallas, TX 75227.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on June 18, 2012
|