Donald Eugene Schade

Donald “Don” Eugene Schade

April 16, 1940 – June 13, 2025

Granbury, Texas

On June 13, 2025, Donald “Don” Eugene Schade, of Granbury, Texas, devoted husband and beloved step-father/grandfather/great-grandfather, entered into the presence of his Heavenly Father at the age of 85.

In the course of his well-lived and exuberant life, Don was also a cherished son, brother, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, leader, mentor, and friend.

Don was born on April 16, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to William Joseph and Bernice (Egerer) Schade. He was the fourth of their five children. Don graduated as salutatorian of his high school class in Chicago, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin/Madison in 1962. Don spent 30 successful years in various national and international locations as a senior systems engineer with IBM, after which he continued in second and third careers as a contractor in the same field.

On January 21, 1978, Don married the love of his life, Rebecca “Becky” Royer. Their 47-year marriage was marked by deep devotion, and Don felt blessed to be a loving and giving “bonus dad” to Becky’s four daughters.

Don had a passion for physical fitness, having participated in cycling and foot races of varying distances, with Ride Around Mt. Rainier, the Seattle to Portland bike race, and the Boston, Honolulu, and New York Marathons being highlights. He also completed several triathlons, including excellent finishing times in two Ironman competitions (Canada and Hawaii). Don attended the University of Wisconsin on a full football scholarship, played in the 1960 Rose Bowl, and co-captained the 1961-62 team.

Don also served his country with honor. After participating in the ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin, he graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was trained and based at Fort Benning, Georgia, from 1962-64, and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves as a Captain in 1973.

Don was known for his quick wit, warm and infectious smile, competitive nature, and his heartfelt enthusiasm for sharing both his life stories and his journey of faith.

Don considered his greatest achievement to have taken place on October 30, 1995 - the day he fully surrendered his heart, soul and mind to let Jesus take the wheel and do the steering. From that day forward, Don began living with even greater purpose and joy. His faith became the foundation of everything he did, and he went on to actively participate in and lead men’s ministries while residing in Washington State and Louisiana.

Don never met a stranger, and new acquaintances often became life-long pals. He was the "glue" that kept a huge and ever-growing circle of relatives and friends throughout the country connected by organizing trips, get-togethers and Zoom gatherings, Thankfully and fortuitously, Don was able to meet, via hospital room visits, the two latest family arrivals. The first was three-week-old great-granddaughter Alexis

Rosemary Beckworth, whom he had not previously seen in person. The second meeting was a true miracle! On the morning of June 12, 2025, another great-granddaughter, Rosalyn Stacy Don Sherburn, was born in the same Fort Worth hospital where Don was being treated. A mere six hours after her birth, nurses and security guards escorted mother, father, and baby to Don's room so he could meet and pray over his namesake, a shared blessing for the family members gathered at his bedside.

Don and Becky moved to Granbury, TX, in 2019, from Baton Rouge, LA, to be closer to family members. An extra benefit was the joy found by Don, an avid golfer, in serving as the first-ever course marshal at Harbor Lakes Golf Club, a position he held as long as his health permitted,

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Bill, Sr. and Bernice Schade, and all of his siblings: Paula Schade Gorte (and husband Clarke), Dr. William J. Schade, Ruth Schade McInerney (and husband Thomas), and Florence Schade Christlieb. Also predeceasing Don were his niece Leanne Gorte, nephew Eric Schade, and step- grandson Michael Donovan Bushnell, Jr., cousins Gail Hodkowski and Bruce Egerer, Jr., in-laws Bruce A. and Virginia (Wynkoop) Royer; sister-in-law Debby Royer Landry (and husband Dr. Robert J. Landry).

Don is survived by his loving and steadfast wife, Becky Schade; the four daughters of his heart, Shelley Harvey (John), Ashlyn Simon (Robert), Loren Pond (former spouse Mark Stubbeman), and Paula Davis (Matt); sister-in-law Judy Royer Wilkinson; sister-in-law Kessy Schade; brother-in-law Chris Christlieb; and Becky's nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by 11 step- grandchildren (six with spouses); 12 step-great-grandchildren; Don’s host of cousins, including Steve Deschamps (Cindy), Desiree Deschamps, Terri Zach, Gwen Kueckle (Ron), Jason Kueckle (Lynda), Colin Blair (Felicia), and Suzanne Barrows; plus a large group of nieces and nephews of the more immediate Schade lineage (fondly known as “The Schade-y Bunch”), most with spouses or significant others, plus children and grandchildren) who were like additional children to him.

“The Schade-y Bunch” are the members of Don’s deceased siblings. Paula Gorte’s offspring are Dianne Gorte Beville (Dick), Joanne Gorte (Tom Jones), and Suzanne Gorte; Bill Schade, Jr.’s children are Sabrina Schade, Camela Schade, and Cyndie Schade (David Garcia); Ruth McInerney’s family are Kathy McInerney Robinson, Kevin McInerney (Marian Cronin), Bill McInerney (Leslie), Brian McInerney (Anne Woods) and Kelly McInerney Cerullo (Tony); Florence Christlieb’s sons are Chris Hauser (Laura), Barry Hauser (Sofia), and John Hauser (Cyndi).

An outdoor pavilion service with Army military honors was held on July 28, 2025, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (Columbarium F, Court 3, Niche A36), 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75211, followed by a celebration of life at the home of Paula and Matt Davis in Dallas.

Should you wish to honor Don with a memorial donation, please consider StoneWater Church in Granbury, Texas, https://stonewaterchurch.com, the University of Wisconsin Foundation (https://www.supportuw.org), or Wounded Warriors (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Don Schade lived a life marked by strength, love, integrity, and deep faith. He leaves behind a legacy that will echo through generations, and his presence will be missed by all who knew him.