Don Schneider

Donald Anthony Schneider, age 63, passed peacefully into the hands of God on December 30, 2016 surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and two sons-in-law, after a courageous battle against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with cardiac complications.

Don will be greatly missed by his family and expansive group of friends. He was thoughtful, intelligent, faithful, hilariously funny, joyful, adventurous, and full of pure heart and soul. Don “never met a stranger” and made all who knew him feel like family.

Don was born on March 12, 1953 to Donald and Rosemarie Schneider in Evergreen Park, Illinois, where he was raised the oldest of six children. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in Sales and Marketing. He began his career in Real Estate in Chicago, IL, then moved to Texas in 1978.

Don married the love of his life, Lynn Huettis of California, in 1988, shortly after a love-at-first-sight experience on a Jamaican vacation. They built their life together in Texas. Don and Lynn have two precious daughters, Lindsey and Rachel. After making their Lake Kiowa home the family’s permanent residence in 1991, Don remained an integral figure in the community for the rest of his life. Don and his family took a sabbatical to Maui from 2004-2007 where he enjoyed deep sea fishing and playing golf on Hawaii’s finest courses. He also sold Real Estate in Maui, making him a licensed broker in four states: Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, and Hawaii.

Don was the quintessential outdoorsman: an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He enjoyed sunsets on his lanai, splitting wood, building fires, sipping a glass of wine with friends, sitting with his dogs, going on boat rides, being active in the Lake Kiowa community, and traveling to Gig Harbor in Washington, Alaska, and Maui…but his greatest passion was spending quality time with his “girls” (wife and daughters). His community hobbies included Lake Kiowa Angler and Conservation Club and Lake Kiowa Men’s Golf Association.

Survivors include: wife Lynn Schneider of Lake Kiowa; daughter Lindsey Haines and husband Evan of Gig Harbor, WA; daughter Rachel Schneider Sullivan and husband Elliott of Lake Kiowa; mother Rosemarie Schneider of Oak Brook, IL; brother Rick Schneider of Illinois; sister Cathy Ahearn of Illinois; sister Diane Prohoroff of Hawaii; brother Tom Schneider of Texas; and brother Jim Schneider of Hawaii. Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald J. Schneider.

Don’s Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church of Gainesville on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Please honor Don by wearing his most popular attire: camouflage, fishing wear, or Aloha shirt.

As a tribute to Don, please consider joining the Bone Marrow Donation registry. An opportunity to join will be available at the memorial service. Don was blessed by his sister Diane’s donation. She was the only 100% match in the world, and donated her bone marrow for his Stem Cell transplant in August 2016. You could be a match and save a life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lake Kiowa Angler and Conservation Club at 554 Kiowa Dr. West, Lake Kiowa, Texas 76240.