Don Boland, 1938–2022

JAYTON—Don Boland was born in Jayton, Texas, to Lillian Watson Boland and Ben Boland on August 17, 1938. He attended Jayton-Girard School and graduated in 1956. He then went on to attend Draughon’s Business School in Amarillo, Texas. He went to work for the Burlington Railroad as a relief department agent in various places.

He married the love of his life, Shirley Harrison, on April 25, 1958 in Jayton, Texas, at the First Baptist Church. The couple lived in Matador and Ralls, Texas, before returning to Jayton in 1982 to try farming on the family farm.

In 1982 Don went to work for the Texas Highway Department, where he was named maintenance supervisor in 1983 and continued in that role until he retired in 2002. Don loved playing golf, dancing, and going to grandkids’ sporting events and stock shows. He enjoyed watching Hopalong Cassidy every Saturday morning.

Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Boland; one daughter, Billie Don Howell and husband, Carlos, of Jayton; one grandson, Chase Howell and wife, Allison, of Lubbock; one granddaughter, Callie Palma and husband, Michael, of Levelland; two great-granddaughters, Avery and Brooke Howell of Lubbock; several nieces and nephews; plus very special friends David and Mani Foster, Cliff Foster and family, and Marci Bateman and family.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Lillian Boland; two brothers, Gerald and Bruce; and one sister, Lavinia Welch.

He was a member of First Baptist Church and the Kent County Golf Club.

Memorials can be made to the Bruce Long Food Pantry or to the Kent County EMS Department.

Funeral services for Don will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at the First Baptist Church, Jayton, Texas, with interment following at the Jayton Cemetery.