Donald Lloyd

Klies

Donald Lloyd Klies, 77, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on November 5th, 2026 in Big Springs, while a patient at the Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez’s,Texas State Veterans Home.

No funeral services will be held; however, the church family will hold a Celebration of Life for both Donald L. Klies and his wife, Janet K. Klies (Shackelford) at the First Methodist Church of Abilene, TX, at 202 Butternut Street on the 20th of November, 2026 between 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Please come at your convenience and share some refreshments and your memories of Don and Janet with the family.

Donald L. Klies was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Alvin Lloyd and Mary Jane Klies (Mannes) on February 28th 1949. He graduated from Redlands High School and earned an Associates Degree in Business from Crafton Hills College, both in Redlands, California. Don was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, where he honorably served between 16 Oct 1968 and 15 Aug 1972. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He married Janet Kay Shackelford on February 9th, 1992 in Los Vegas, Nevada. Don worked as a self employed house painter for over twenty years and he and his wife eventually became over-the-road truck drivers for Covenant Transport before becoming involved in a Truck Driver’s Chapel ministry in Tye TX. He eventually became a Realtor, working for Coldwell Banker of Abilene, TX for several years before retiring. His proudest and most rewarding achievements were his volunteer work with Kairos Prison Ministries International, through the First Methodist Church of Abilene TX.

Donald L. Klies is survived by one brother, Dan L. Klies (Karen) of Olympia WA, his four step-children, Laura L. Lee of Aransas Pass, TX; Diana J. Sowell of Aztec, New Mexico; William A. Sowell of Weston, Missouri and Paul “Dan” Sowell of Grand Junction, Colorado, and their five 5 children and 9 grandchildren. Donald Klies was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother Robert J. Klies, one adult step-grandchild, one infant step-grandchild and his wife Janet, who preceded him in death by 19 days on 17 October 2026.

The family of Donald L. Klies wishes to extend our sincere thank you’s to the nursing staff of Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez’s Texas State Veterans Home in Big Springs, TX and to ExcelaCare Hospice of Big Springs, TX for the excellent care they provided to Don. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations in memory of Donald & Janet Klies be made to Patriot Academy. Donations can be maid by mail to: The Torch of Freedom Foundation, P.O. Box 231, Fredricksburg, TX 78624; by email at: support@patriotacademy .com, or by phone at: (512) 515-3744. Alternate or additional donations can be made to the First Methodist Church of Abilene, TX.