Roll Call Tribute

Arthur Donald "Don" Chase 

January 28, 1938 - October 6, 2024 

A lifelong Texan, Arthur Donald “Don” Chase was born in Houston, Texas on January 28, 1938 to Vida Ramey and Arthur Merton Chase, and he passed peacefully unto our Lord on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in his home in Dallas. Don is survived by his wife of 38 years, Garlen (Mack) Chase, her son, Glen Mack; his sister, Judy (Chase) Webb and her husband George; his son Don Jr, and his wife Kim; and his grandchildren, Olivia, Sam, and Maisy Chase. He was preceded in death by his first wife Phyllis (Barnard) Chase of Houston.

Don grew up in Houston and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1956 as a standout football and baseball player. He went on to Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and a catcher on the 1959 Southwest Conference championship team, remaining loyal to his teammates for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Texas A&M in 1960 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Don served in the United States Air Force, working on the Atlas missile program at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In 1963, Don returned to Houston and married his first wife, Phyllis, and began his career as a real estate broker. Don coached little league baseball and football, drove the carpool, and made lifelong friendships with his neighbors in Briargrove Park.

In 1986, Don relocated to Dallas where he married Garlen. While continuing his career in real estate, Don enjoyed serving at the Dallas County Appraisal District. Don and Garlen delighted in hosting friends and family in their home in Highland Park including their annual New Years eve gathering for their Prayer and Share group. He was always generous with his time and hospitality, insisting you take home a sample of his famous banana bread.

Outside of faith and his family, Texas A&M University and baseball were his two passions in life. Don was a baseball coach for 20 years in the youth and high school leagues around Houston, finding great joy in teaching catchers how to protect their throwing hand, arguing with umpires and mowing the fields.

A Fighting Texas Aggie until the end, you were never uncertain of where Don’s loyalties lived. Don was involved in the Association of Former Students, serving over 30 years as his class agent, and generously donating his time and gifts to support the baseball program and the Corps of Cadets. Don began a monthly luncheon in Dallas for A&M former students and ran the program for many years before retiring. Don always said: “Time passes, friendships endure, but Tradition never graduates”.

Don lived a full life and counted multitudes of friends who were engaged by his wit, larger than life personality and endearing loyalty. Quick with a sharp one-liner, he loved to engage people or perhaps share his unsolicited opinion. He was always proud of the successes of his family and friends who were lucky enough to be “not on his worry list”. A lifelong faithful Methodist, Don was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Southwest Methodist Church in Houston, as well as Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. His faith in Christ strengthened his relationship with others and permeated his daily activities.

Friends are invited to celebrate Don’s life with a memorial service and remembrance at 10:00 am on Friday, October 25th in the Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial gifts be made in honor of Don to the Class of ’60 Sul Ross Scholarship c/o The Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. www.txamfoundation.com/give (Please designate the Class of ’60 Sul Ross Scholarship, 400/15087).