Donald Lee Teter
Friday, January 27, 2012 RECORDING OF SERVICE
Donald Lee Teter passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday January 26, 2012 at the age of 86.
Don was born May 21, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois where he spent his childhood before moving to Fort Worth, Texas during high school. Don graduated from Rice University and worked in Baytown as a Chemical Engineer for many years while also becoming an active member of the community. Don spent two years serving his country in the Navy.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Harry Teter and Jeanette Marks Teter, his brother Burton Teter and his daughter Barbara Teter. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gertrude Moskowitz Teter, his daughter and son-in-law Joan and Ruben Linares, his granddaughters Jamie, Leah, and Alyssa Linares and honorary grandson Cheto Cerda, as well as many cousins and relatives.
Don was an active member, leader and in some cases founder of many organizations including the Sterling Library Adult Literacy Program, STAR program at Harlem Elementary, AARP Tax Aid Program, Country Club Oaks Civic Association, Cystic Fibrosis Bike-a-thon and MS150, Texas Jewish Historical Society, Baytown Historical Museum, Baytown Jaycees, Baytown Opportunity Center, Congregation K’Nesseth Israel, Congregation Emanu El, and the Houston Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Don was an engineer, an athlete, a supporter, a leader, a volunteer, an author, a historian, an explorer, an entertainer and an innovator. He enjoyed traveling, trying new things, and above all else spending precious moments with his family. He was a truly remarkable man and will be terribly missed by those lucky enough to have had him touch their lives.
The family would like to thank everyone who has been helpful in Don’s care: Ben Reilly, Kim and Fred Hall, Dr. James Bernick, Luz Gonzalez, Margarita Sustaita, Joyce Steinle, Barbara Hall, Bonnie Soliz, Sherri Grant, Carol Mendelovitz and the Faith Community Hospice of Baytown.
Funeral services will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12:30pm at the Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77096. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Congregation K'Nesseth Israel, P.O. Box 702, Baytown, TX 77522 or other charity of your choice.
Reader Comments (7)
I just heard from someone that Don had passed away. By reading his obituary I see he must have been sick. Me and my family were one of the lucky people to have known him. I can't recall a time not knowing him. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and the rest of the family. "As long as you remember them, they will never be gone."
Mr. Teter was a remarkable man and we were very blessed to know him. He will be truly missed.
I can still see vividly in my mind the first time I visited in their home with Joan, sitting with Don who was "quizzing" me forever the way he did--just getting to know me. It was the first sign of how he would make me feel significant through the years and of knowing this man was going to have an impact on my life. I remember the day he was in San Antonio on some business stay and took a fitness jog through downtown San Antonio; someone came into the young trainee dept at the corporate headquarters of Frost Bank and said an older man is upstairs on the Executive (President's) floor asking for you. In trying to figure out who it was I asked them to describe him. "He is older, very thin with thin legs, and has on hotpant jogging shorts and a muscle shirt." Who??? I relished having a friend like that who loved life and honored friendship! I recall hosting him during Alyssa's choir days on the top of the Tower of Americas for dinner and his hospitality in San Antonio in recent years as my host for several Teter-Linares dining celebrations, as gracious and vivacious as always.
It was always fun to be with Don to see what he would surprise you by saying for he had an observant eye and would speak so candidly and frankly; he was honest to the core. His smile was contagious, and one would always walk away from time spent with Don in much higher spirits than with what you arrived--loving life, people, and yourself. I will miss him very much, but I look forward to thinking and speaking of him with the family he cherished and was so very proud of--Gertrude, Joan and Ruben, Jamie, Leah, and Alyssa. We will have wonderful memories and thoughts to share. My love goes out and my prayers for comfort, strength, and peace will be said for his beautiful soulmate and beloved family. I know this family will do well in holding each other up. I love you.