Donald Lee Cechan's Obituary
Donald L. Cechan passed away on Friday, May 19, 2017. He is grieved by his family and friends from the many circles in which he lived and served. Donnie was born on September 24, 1954, in Dallas, Texas. He was a resident of Dallas where he was surrounded by a loving family and many friends. He attended Dallas Elementary and Junior High Schools and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1973. Donnie enjoyed sports and lettered in football while at Hillcrest High School. Energetic and industrious, Donnie helped fund his college education by working at various jobs before and during his college education. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1977. After completing college, Donnie moved back to Dallas, Texas and began his engineering career at Texas Instruments. Donnie also worked at Flextronics, DSC Communications, Alcatel and Raytheon where he worked until his death. Donnie married his college sweetheart, Leslie Bryant, of Waco, Texas on June 17, 1978. Together they raised a fine family of three children in Plano, Texas. Throughout his life Donnie enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, shooting guns and barbecuing on the smoker he made himself. There was hardly a time when Donnie didn’t have a project to complete. His favorite place to spend his time and relax was his home on Lake Frankston. It was here one could find him tending his yard and garden, enjoying fishing and golf cart rides around the lake with his brother-in-law, Joe – always stopping along the way to visit with the neighbors. Donnie was well known as the “fix-it’ man around the lake. He was more than happy to repair a broken sprinkler system, put together a water filter, rescue a run-a-way raft or try his hand at capturing an alligator. He always made himself available to any neighbor in need of help. For the past twenty-two years Donnie and Leslie have been proud volunteers for Southeastern Guide Dogs. They have been puppy raisers for the first training year with the goal of these puppies becoming guide dogs for the visually impaired. Donnie spent many happy, rewarding years raising young puppies to become strong, confident dogs who change the lives of visually impaired people. Donnie’s family and friends will miss his strength, leadership, dedication and presence. He was a soft-hearted, strong in his beliefs, courageous man. He was member of Royal Lane Baptist Church. Donnie was happiest when all his family members were gathered together. Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Henry Walter Cechan. Donnie is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Leslie Bryant Cechan, their three children: Jenny Cechan Gonzalez and husband John, Clinton Taylor Cechan, and wife Kaci and Christopher Bryant Cechan. Donnie was affectionately known as Grumpy by his grandsons: Anthony Aaron Gonzalez and Brady Taylor Cechan. He was so proud of them. He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Dolores Cechan, his twin brother, Ronald Len Cechan and wife Toni, nieces Elizabeth and husband Jamey and Katherine. A service celebrating Donnie’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 26, 2017 at Royal Lane Baptist Church, 6707 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas 75230. A reception will follow to greet family. The family requests memorials be made to Southeastern Guide Dogs, 4210 77Th St E, Palmetto, Florida 34221. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75243.
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