Don Frels – Obituary and Assessment Call

Don Brandon Frels of Rockport, (formally of Edna, Texas), passed away, Sunday, February 3, 2019, at the age of 81. He was born in Jackson County, on December 11, 1937, to the late Walter Frels and Mary Laughter Frels.

Don, along with his sister Suzanne Brantley of Menard and brother Pierce Frels of Peoria, Illinois, grew up farming near the small community of Lolita along the banks of the Lavaca River. It was there he developed a life-long love and appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife. During his days at Industrial High School, he played sports and was an avid hunter and fisherman. At 6’7’, he was a natural athlete and was offered a scholarship to play football for Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Wildlife Management and immediately went to work for the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a biologist in East Texas. His leadership skills evident, he promoted quickly to become a Regional Director for Wildlife and eventually moved to Rockport where he worked until his retirement in 1995. Personable, direct but respectful, he made his opinions known. As a regional supervisor, he believed in the talents and abilities of his staff and tirelessly endeavored to provide them the means necessary to succeed. Admired and respected by friend and foe alike, he was a staunch advocate for field staff who commonly referred to him simply as “Big Daddy.”

Don is survived by his two children from his first marriage to Betty Jane Minten; daughter, Judy Annette Frels Ward of Keller, her son Will Ward; son, Don B. Frels, Jr., of Rockport, his wife Suzanne Frels, their children Tara Frels and Victoria Frels; step-son, Darrin Gathright of League City, his wife Lisa Gathright, and their sons Dustin, Dillon, Travis.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of many years Sherry Kay Frels

Per his wishes, an informal graveside service was be held at the family cemetery in Jackson County near Edna, Texas.

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MUTUAL ASSOCIATION

SUBJECT:     Assessment Call: Don Frels, Sr. #581
DATE:             March 15, 2019
AMOUNT:      $20.00
DUE:                April 15, 2019

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association (TPW Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of one of our members, Don Frels, Sr..

Don became a member of the TPW Mutual Association on May 16th, 1979. He retained his membership up until his death on February 3rd, 2019. A check in the amount of $5,000 was delivered to his son, Donnie Frels, Jr.

An assessment in the amount of $20.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for other members in case of death. Please make this payment by the due date listed above.

Sincerely,

Jon Purvis, Treasurer
Texas Parks & Wildlife Mutual Association

If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:
President:  Vacant
Vice-president: Dennis Gissell (512) 389-4407, dennis.gissell@tpwd.texas.gov
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Jon Purvis (512) 389-8193, jon.purvis@tpwd.texas.gov