Donald (Don) Jan Duiker
Donald (Don) Jan Duiker, 90, peacefully passed into the hands of the Lord on Dec. 8, 2024, following a long illness. He was born on Oct. 21, 1934, in Fort Worth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hendrick Duiker and Hazel Wills Duiker, as well as his brother Hendrick Duiker, grandson Matthew Doherty, and his first wife, Patricia Stover.
Don is survived by Sandra Colburn Duiker, his wife of forty-eight years. She will remain at Post Oak Thicket, their home for the last 30plus years. Surviving children and their spouses are Juliana Duiker/Zawadzki and her husband, Michael, Christopher Duiker and his wife, Pam, Erik Duiker and his wife, Jeanine, Jennifer Duiker Walker and her husband, Day, Benjamin Duiker and his wife, Lori and Charles Morris and his wife, Liz. He leaves behind nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Don is also survived by two nieces, Jan Duiker and Georgeanne Powell, and two nephews, Matt and Josh Duiker.
Don grew up in Big Spring and started working in the kitchen of his father’s restaurant at age 8. After his father died, he and his mother moved to Austin.
Don went to the Shreiner Institute Preparatory Academy and then attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from Shepherd College.
He played tackle for the UT football team under famed coach Daryl Royal, but found his interest waned as the pain increased.
Don was good at most things he tried and had a wide-ranging curiosity. He worked as a surveyor in South Texas, taught school after retirement, ran for state representative in Oklahoma and was involved in politics in Limestone County for many years. He was also a chef and had his own restaurants in Austin, Oklahoma City and Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Don worked for the U.S. Treasury Department for 25 years and was part of a small team of early systems analysts who blazed new ground and transitioned Treasury records from punch cards to early computer systems. He was awarded the “Gallatin Award” for his excellence.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to help carry on Don’s legacy of strength, compassion, and love, please donate to the organizations that provided his long-term care and hospice care. Donations to Groesbeck LTC may be mailed to them directly at 607 Parkside, Groesbeck, TX 76642 Attn: Dawna Hyden Ms. Hyden’s email is dawnahyden@gcltc.com for further assistance or for Hospice at www.Solarisfamily. com. The staff are quintessentially professional, compassionate, and caring people.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
