Don Sustala (PePaw), married to the love of his life, Marilynn Sustala (MeMaw) for 57 years, passed away peacefully in Providence Hospital on Saturday, January 2, 2021.
Don was born to John and Mary West Sustala on October 18, 1937 in West where he graduated from West High School in 1956. After graduating from high school, he entered the Navy where he was a correspondent for the ship Captain on the U.S.S. Comstock. After his Navy career, he returned to Waco and attended Baylor University and worked for General Tire for over 22 years. He owned numerous businesses including appliance and tool businesses in Central and East Texas. He was the Warehouse Director for Lea’ Cosmetics for many years in San Antonio and was a local real estate broker for 20 years.
Don was an avid fisherman throughout his life. He especially loved coastal fishing and flounder gigging in Port Aransas. He was a jack of all trades and was the family’s go-to man. He had a passion for reading and cherished time spent with his family and close friends. In his later years, he loved playing dominoes with his children and grandchildren.
He was a member at Lake Shore United Methodist Church and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and other community services.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; three sisters; and a daughter, Karen Kim Girard.
He is survived by his wife, Marilynn Sustala; children, Jill Sustala Zachry and husband Bill, Lea Black and husband Roy Black, and Celina Fuller Eastland and husband Doug; son-in-law, Tommy Girard; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, with another 2 on the way; and his special Beagle, Gucci.
Due to COVID-19, there will be no services. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
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Donnie will be missed. He was one of the finest men I ever knew. His smile and kindness always made you feel at home. He was one of a kind, the best kind!
Thoughts and prayers for you all.
My heart goes out to you .. you are in my Prayers
I loved my Uncle Donnie. All of us kids, my cousins on my Mom’s side did. My Mother Lois Sustala Rudine would have celebrated her 100th birthday this coming November. So Donnie, at 84 really was her baby brother. He grew big! And he was a big gentle man and a wonderful father to four girls. We hope Marilynn is recovering well from this ravaging pandemic. Janet and I were so glad we got to visit him a couple of years ago. Our love to the family. May his memory always, always be a blessing.
Prayers for the family. Uncle Donnie was a special man! He was loved by many.
Donnie always had a smile on his face. He made you always feel welcome. He will be missed by all who knew Him. Prayers for all of the family.
Uncle Donnie was the quiet observer in a many an extended Sustala family conversation – listening with a smile in his face and then inserting the zinger at just the right time. He was a rock of knowledge, kindness, and peace. We will all miss him so much. The end of an era.
We are praying for God’s peace and comfort to be with you Marilynn and your family and for healing for you.
Prayers for all of you,
The Boutwell Family
Our condolences for your family’s loss Celina. Praying for God’s comfort, strength, and healing for you all.
Valerie, Dusty, and Jonathan Rose
I am saddened that an era of love & grace with your loved one has passed. Continued prayer for all of you.
So sorry for your loss
He was a sweet loving man …that loved his family …prayers going your way…RIP Don
♥️Jerry n Sylvia
One of the nicest men I have ever known. We are so sad for the family. You will all remain in our prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Will keep all of you in my prayers.
I will always remember the good times with Uncle Donnie. Teaching me to water ski, sleepovers with the cousins at there home, I even remember Uncle Donnie coming home from the Navy, I was at grandmothers shoestring house in Waco that evening . He was a good man.
Donna Sustala Fisher
I am so so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a sweet, loving, caring man. I had the honor to know him since Jill and I were in high school. He will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers to you all. RIP PePaw
Missi Maresh and Jonathan Young
I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family!
Marilyn and family, May God’s loving presence comfort you. Prayers and Sympathy.
Carol k.
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences to your family.
We were all so sorry to hear of this. Donnie was the definition of a good man and will be missed by so many.