Don Wayne Stansel

Services for Don Wayne Stansel, 69, of Bullard, will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Bishop Brent Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Stansel passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at The Hospice of East Texas. He was born September 1, 1944 in Greenville to Merle and Tennie Clay Stansel. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1962 and East Texas State University in 1967 and was a Kappa Alpha. Don joined the Marines and served proudly during Vietnam from 1967 to 1973. Don married the love of his life, Diana on March 31, 1971. Later that year he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on August 12, 1971 and their marriage was sealed for time and eternity on July 15, 1983 at the Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Stansel and his brother were owners of the Hot Biscuit restaurants. Later he worked as Regional Manager of Ralph and Kakoo’s Steak and Seafood and Café Del Rio Mexican restaurants. Don was a member of the Jaycees, Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed time spent gardening with his wife. He and his daughter solved many of lives complications while riding in the golf cart. Time spent with his family was extremely special to him, especially with his grandson, Griffin cleaning the golf cart, golfing and fishing. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Pope and Jeanie Green. He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 43 years, Diana Stansel of Bullard; daughter, Tisha J. Stansel of Flint; son, Robert Stansel of Colorado; grandchildren, Griffin Wayne Stansel of Flint and Baily, Preston and Garrett Stansel of Colorado; brother, Dan J. Stansel and wife Shirley and their daughter, Carrie L. Stansel and mother-in-law, Jean Bednarz. Pallbearers will be Dan Stansel, Don Burdette, Kevin Burdette, Jimmy Zahirniak, John Corley, Christopher Cafiero, Everett Nix, Doug Clothier. Honorary pallbearer will be grandson, Griffin Stansel. Visitation is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler 75701 or the American Cancer Society, 1301 S. Broadway, Tyler 75701.

Don Wayne Stansel

September 1, 1944 - December 3, 2013