Thursday, October 1, 2026
On June 13, 2025, Donald "Don" Eugene Schade, 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 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 locations as a 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 Wisconsin, he graduated as a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army. He was trained and based at Fort Benning, Georgia, from 1962-64 and was honorably discharged 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 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 on, 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 lifelong 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, Don was able to meet the two latest family arrivals shortly before his passing. The first was a three-week-old great-granddaughter whom he had not previously seen in person. The second was a true miracle! On the morning of June 12, 2025, another great-granddaughter, whose middle name is Don, was born at 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, Texas, in 2019 to be closer to family members. An avid golfer, Don found joy in serving as the first-ever course marshal at Harbor Lakes Golf Club, a position he held as long as his health allowed.
Don is survived by his loving and steadfast wife Becky Schade; the four daughters of his heart, Shelley (John) Harvey, Ashlyn (Robert) Simon, Loren Pond (former spouse Mark Stubbeman), and Paula (Matt) Davis; sister-in-law Judy Royer Wilkinson; sister-in-law Kessy Schade; brother-in-law Chris Christlieb; and Becky's nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren (six with spouses); 12 great-grandchildren; several cousins; and 12 nieces and nephews of the Schade lineage (10 with spouses or significant others) who were like additional children to him.
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 (daughter of Paula Gorte); and grandson Michael Donovan Bushnell, Jr. (son of Ashlyn Simon); in-laws Bruce A. and Virginia (Wynkoop) Royer; sister-in-law Debby Royer Landry (and husband Dr. Robert J. Landry).
An outdoor pavilion service with Army military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75211. (Notes: No flowers allowed. Cars line up at office. Folding camp chairs and water bottles permitted.)
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.
