Donald Ray Renfroe

Donald Ray “Don” Renfroe, passed away in Norman, Oklahoma on October 15, 2013, at age 76. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 18, 2013, at Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck. Don was born January 29, 1937 in Groesbeck to Z. L. and Jennie (Lane) Renfroe. He graduated from Groesbeck High School, Class of 1955, where he played football for the Goats, and winning Bi-District his senior year. He attended Tarleton College two years, where he earned the name “Tasmanian devil” as a starting member of the football team. He left Tarleton to enter the Army and played football for them for three years, and then returned to college at Austin College as a starting member of their team. After receiving his bachelors and masters degrees, he taught history and coached high school football in Holiday and Deer Park, Texas, and then went to work for Austin College raising funds for the college. His later career also included being a sales rep for Robbins Drugs, managing a TV station in Sherman, managing a TV station in Ada, Oklahoma, and director of media for the athletic department of the University of Oklahoma. He directed the coach’s shows and playback shows and used his talents as a fund raiser there until he retired. Don had a life-long love for history, with an extensive knowledge and interest in European history, from the Roman Empire to present, and was especially knowledgeable about World War II and Nazi Germany. He had a great interest in Winston Churchill, and was able to imitate him, as well as other characters such as comedian Jonathan Winters. He insisted on speaking properly, and yet he could keep an audience of friends or anyone else around entertained with his story telling and jokes. Don was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Josie Attaway and Katie Stewart; and a brother, C. A. “Josie” Renfroe. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Lynn and his second wife, Donna, who was the mother of his children. He is survived by his son, Lane A. Renfroe of Yukon, Oklahoma; his daughter, Brooke Nell Renfroe of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert L. “Bobby” and Betty Renfroe of Georgetown and Billy G. and Mary Renfroe of Groesbeck; and nieces and nephews.