(October 6, 1938 – September 3, 2023)
Donald Harold Tolliver was born, on October 6, 1938, in Iredell, Texas to parents Walter and Margarete (Bullard) Tolliver, passed away in Keene, Texas September 3, 2023, at age 84.
Known as Don, he lived a beautiful life full of hard work, fun, and service to others. He took care of his customers and friends like they were family. God has always been the center of his life and His love was shared freely. He was a positive influence on his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – never hesitating to teach them how to fix or build something, figure out a problem, catch a fish, share family stories, offer encouragement, and help apply the Bible to daily struggles. Don was generous with a gentle spirit, unless someone was being mistreated or in danger, and then he would go into the role of protector, especially where children or animals were involved.
He graduated from Ferry High School where he was President of the FFA. He played football in high school and college. His Bachelors degree was completed at the University of North Texas in Denton. He held many jobs through his life. He worked on his family farm and tells of being allowed to drive the tractor as soon as he could reach the pedals – some where between age 4-6. He helped run the family’s dairy business, worked on high lines, did work in the oil fields, worked in a florist shop, and held positions at General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin), Gulf Insurance, Commercial Standard Insurance, Bransom Insurance Agency, and then eventually joined forces with Frenda to have their very own insurance agency called Burleson Insurance Agency. He was baptized during a tent revival at Iredell Church of Christ when he was a youth.
He spent all of his free time with family. Back porch sitting, drinking coffee in the mornings with his wife and best friend, Frenda, the birds, and squirrels (well they didn’t drink coffee, but he did while he watched them). Don and Frenda attended Burleson Church of Christ where they had many dear friends. He was from a big family and every weekend for may years was spent with family – church, food, domino or canasta games, walks, fishing, and Sunday drives. Don and Frenda both enjoyed great success at vegetable and flower gardening. They had a wonderful marriage and modeled what is required to make relationships successful. They sacrificed for each other, spent time each day together, laughed often and always loved. They took every opportunity to have family get togethers – sometimes having a fire and always having some of Frenda’s amazing food. Don’s favorite thing to eat was a homemade freezer of ice cream. He taught his kids, grandkids, and great grands how to fish and encouraged fun in all things. He and Frenda made sure their family learned about God and Jesus and how we’re all working to follow the teachings in the Bible so we can all be together in Heaven with our Savior and family members who have gone on before us.
Preceded Don are Wife of over 50 years – Frenda (Nichols) Tolliver, Father, Walter Dowell Tolliver, Mother, Margaret Matilda Bullard, and siblings Lawrence Tolliver, W. D. (Dub) Tolliver, Artie Mae Jones, Thelma Crow, Charlie Tolliver, and Carrie Hampton
Don is survived by daughter, Janis Lee Tolliver Houston and her husband David E. Houston; son, Roger Darrell Tolliver and his wife Angela Tolliver; grandchildren, MariLyn Montgomery and her husband Jon Montgomery, Jacob Lee Tolliver and his wife Ash Tolliver, Leslie Jane Houston, Mitchell Casey Tolliver
Denise D’Ann Lattuca Pompeu and her husband Lucas Lattuca Pompeu, Sean Isaac Tolliver, Lexie Hobby;
Great Grandchildren, Dakota Allen Montgomery, Jessie Ray Montgomery, Randie Lynn Montgomery
Jacob Wyatt Tolliver Jr., Jackson Harold Tolliver, Marcos Lattuca Pompeu; Special Friends and Caregivers,
Tamara Boone, Christine Parsons, Cynthia Kamond, Diane Stubblefield and numerous other relatives and friends.
Graveside services, 10 am Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Hico Cemetery with Hutt Hutson officiating.
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