Donald Seamster

Donald Norman Seamster, 83, of Abilene, Texas, finally decided to take his much-deserved trip to the eternal driving range on May 3, 2025, after a long and successful career in law, family wrangling, and competitive storytelling. Born on March 14, 1942, in Borger, Texas, Don was proof that you can take the boy out of Borger, but you can never take Borger out of the boy -- especially if the boy insists on telling everyone where he's from at every opportunity.

A proud Borger Bulldog, Don went on to Hardin-Simmons University on scholarships for both basketball and golf. He liked to say he was the only man who could sink a putt and a free throw in the same afternoon -- sometimes even in the right direction. Under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame coach Lou Henson, Don became the Cowboys starting point guard his sophomore year - possibly due to a lack of alternatives and Don's ability to keep the coach's coffee order straight. Those HSU years provided him a mentor in coach Henson, life-long friends in teammates Henry Peacock and Mike Merini and a lifetime romance in Sondra Jenkins.

In 1965, Don married Sondra, the love of his life, and together they raised three boys. Don often quoted his dad: "One boy is a boy, two boys are half a boy, and three boys ain't no boy at all." Judging by the noise level in the house and the number of mysterious holes in the drywall, Don spent the next several decades trying unsuccessfully to prove his father wrong. In later life he took pride in his six grandchildren and three daughters-in-law that the boys brought him.

After law school at the University of Texas, Don returned to Abilene, to practice law. Much of his career was with Wagstaff Law Firm who became his work family. After an impressive 55 years of practice, he finally got it right and retired. His remaining years were spent as a recliner-jockey, dog-wrangler, and bird-watcher.

He was devoted to his Lord and his faith guided him personally and professionally. He further expressed that devotion as a member of First Baptist Church Abilene. Don taught Sunday school, served as a deacon, and sat on more committees than he could count -- though he tried, with color-coded spreadsheets and a pocket calculator that he insisted was "vintage, not old."

Blessed with children of dubious athletic ability, he nevertheless enjoyed coaching his sons and their friends in basketball and baseball. And took great pride in the accomplishments of his players not just on the field but in their later careers and ventures.

Don's greatest legacy is his family, who will miss his wisdom, his kindness, his faith, and his uncanny ability to fall asleep, no matter how loud the volume on the TV. He is survived by his loving wife Sondra; sister-in-law Hollie Glause Seamster; brother-in-law Ronnie Jenkins; three sons Scott Seamster, Sean Seamster and Christopher Seamster; three nephews David Jenkins, Colby Seamster and Aaron Seamster; two nieces Karen Shelton, Ashley Quinonez; and six grandchildren -- Abby, Kate, Fletcher, Ellie, Samantha and Will -- who inherit his kindness, competitive spirit, and the opportunity to express or carry a genetic predisposition for premature baldness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, EV and LaVonta Seamster; his mentors Lou Henson and Bob Alvis; his college teammates Henry Peacock and Mike Merini, whom he loved like brothers; and his brother and very best friend, Elgie Paul Seamster -- all of whom have been waiting for him on the "tee box" for an impolite amount of time.

A celebration of Don's life will be held at 11am on May 15, 2025 at First Baptist Church Abilene. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to First Baptist Church Abilene or a charity of your choice.