Donald L. Conrad

Donald L. "Don" Conrad, 87, peacefully passed away on December 9, 2017 in Abilene, TX. He was born July 3, 1930 in his grandfather and grandmother's home in Wells, Minnesota to Monte and Mae Ford Conrad. Eva Sales, his great-aunt was the mid-wife who delivered him. Don graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1948. Following high school, he joined the Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge from the Army, he enrolled at the University of Texas, Austin where he was introduced to Peggy Coats, by her twin brother, Paul. Don and Peggy married on June 1, 1956 in Seagraves, TX. The couple relocated to Houston for Peggy's first teaching position and Don completed college at the University of Houston, graduating with honors in Business Administration. After graduation he worked for Procter and Gamble in the Abilene Region. A growing family prompted Don to embark on a second career as owner and general contractor of "Family Homes" which he and Peggy managed together. One of Don's greatest joys was having worked with Peggy to provide higher education for all five of their children. Don made friends and quietly helped others wherever life led him. He enjoyed fun times sharing a good story with: Palm Street friends, the coffee shop guys, traveling salesmen, lumber yard friends, hunting buddies and car drivers. Don was a member of Palm Street and Southern Hills Churches of Christ where he and Peggy have served the Lord and their community for a combined 59 years. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Monte and Mae Ford Conrad, and step-mother Tress Lewis Conrad; sisters, Fern Bruckhoff and Eunice Sipple all of Minnesota. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Peggy, five children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Daughter, Marsha Tygret, her husband, Mark and their sons, Will and John of Edmond, OK. Daughter, Andrea Cheek of Abilene, her son, Gary Cheek, Jr., his wife, Cindy and daughter, Lisa; daughter, Rebecca Cheek, her husband Daniel Kelley, and daughters, Addison and Halli; son, Daniel Cheek, his wife Adrianne and their children Kaylee and Jaxon; daughter, Katie Moss and husband, Colt. Son, Charley Conrad, his wife, Yvonne and daughter, Carmen of Colorado Springs, CO. Son, Monte Conrad and his son Spencer and Spencer's mother, Elizabeth Howard. Son, Karl Conrad and Gary Cerrone of Cortlandt Manor, NY. Don is survived by his older brother, Carroll Conrad and son Russell; and nieces and nephews, Richard, Mary, Paul, Bruce, Ruth and husband Gene, Linda and LuAnn. Don also leaves behind Gerta Mabe of Tye, TX and other Coats relatives: Two sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Don's friend and care-giver, Krystal Lucero. Visitation will be Thursday, December 14th, 5:00-7:00pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. The memorial service will be 11:00am Friday, December 15th at Southern Hills Church of Christ Chapel, 3666 Buffalo Gap Rd. Pallbearers will be Don Bledsoe, Homer Hutto, Mike Hanner, Frank Richardson, Billy Fields, Robert Davis and Eddie Baldwin.