DONALD RALPH FILTER, 79, of Union Valley, TX went
peacefully to his heavenly home surrounded by his
loving family on May 17, 2023 after a 2 year battle
with multiple myeloma.
Don was born on July 30, 1943 in Beatrice, NE to Ralph
& Kathryn Filter. Don graduated from West Side High
School in 1961 in Omaha, NE. After graduation, he
went to work for Western Electric for a short period
of time before joining the U.S. Navy. After serving
4 years in the U.S. Navy, he attended college and
returned to work at Western Electric as an engineer
in the Dallas area, where he retired as a Manager at
age 57.
Don moved to Texas in 1970 with his first wife, Marty,
where they raised their 3 beautiful daughters. He was
a wonderful father. He loved and accepted his role as
patriarch and tolerated every whim of his children,
be it, the multitude of chickens, rabbits, ducks,
horses, cats, dogs, motorcycles and go carts. With
3 driving teenage girls, his services were always
required as an on-demand mechanic & body shop. Eve
as his children grew up and married, he was always
willing to drop everything and help.
In 1985, Don married Barbara Garner and they spent
37 happy years together. Don & Barbara lived in
Mesquite and then moved to Union Valley in 2006.
With Don's early retirement, he was able to spend
plenty of time doing things he loved. He enjoyed
fixing things, woodworking, mowing the yard, fishing,
camping and playing cards with friends on a Saturday
night. He loved his dog Toby the most. He enjoyed
a good Snuffers burger and a beer with his good
friend, Al. His favorite thing to do was to cook
breakfast outside at a campground. His family could
always count on him to smoke a delicious brisket for
family gatherings. He definitely had a sweet tooth
and loved Oreos and chocolate cake. He loved his
family and would host Christmas Eve every year at his
home for the extended family. Don was always there
to help his friends and family. He loved to go to
South Texas in the winter, relax and lay in the sun.
He is even immortalized in an arial photo of South
Padre Island which is hanging in the entry way of
their home. At the end of his life, he spent hours
watching and rewatching old westerns & Andy Griffith.
Don will be greatly missed by his wife, Barbara;
children Suzanne Hajdu and husband John of Rockwall,
TX, Debbie Pollard and husband Lonnie of Heath, TX
and Christie Loven and husband Mike of Wills Point,
TX; James 'Red' Anderson and wife Janet of Campbell,
TX and Lisa Hart and Michael of Cumby, TX. Grand-
children Tanner and Kennedy Hajdu, Jacob and Julia
Pollard, MacKenzie and Cade Loven, Jordan Anderson
and Tony Brooks, Candy Hart, Courtney and Basanta
Pandey; Great grandchildren Stella Self and Keelan
Brooks; Siblings, Pam Filter of Florissant, CO; Bob
Filter and wife, Debbie of Trapper Creek, AK; nephew
Joshua Filter and great nephew, Riley Filter of
Trapper Creek, AK; Brother-in-law, Dick Sage and
niece Jackie Sage of CO. Beloved dog Gunnar and a
host of extended family and friends.
Don was preceeded in death by his parents, uncle
Ben, sisters, Sandi Filter and Georgia Sage, and
brother Arnie Filter.
Don's celebration of life will be held on Saturday,
June 17th at 1:00pm at Terrell Christian Country
Church, 22130 FM 429, Terrell, TX.