Donald Ray Settles

Donald Ray Settles, 85, of Garland, Texas, died on March 13, 2024.  He was born in Marietta, Texas on February 14, 1939, to Leonard and Ophelia (Burkhalter) Settles. 

He attended Marietta Elementary until he moved to Dallas, Texas at age 9.  He attended L.V Stockard Middle School where he played football.  He attended Sunset High School until age 16 and then started working at Pollack Paper and Box Factory where he became a printing pressman. At age 22, Don joined the U.S. Army tank battalion and earned his GED while stationed in Erlangen Germany. Following his military service, Don returned to printing and became the factory manager; he worked in printing for most of his adult life. He was also an entrepreneur in starting up janitorial and carpet cleaning businesses. Towards the end of his career, he moved to Terrell, Texas to run a cattle ranch. After full retirement he moved back to Garland, Texas to live closer to his family. 

During his early years, Don enjoyed creating metal art and hunting, in later years he enjoyed beach vacations, playing pool at the senior citizen’s recreation center, family game nights and riding his bike. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Ophelia; siblings Louise, Leonard Jr., Ervin and Wayne.  

He is survived by the mother of his children Jacqueline Settles; his four children Laura, Donna, Sarah, Donald D (Cynthia); three grandchildren Cierra (Jeff); Gabriel (Alexis); Hannah (Benjamin) and two great-grandchildren Elijah and Sadie.