Donald T. Masten

Donald Thomas Masten, you will always be Cousin Donny to me. What a handsome guy! I will continue to think of you with your mouth that naturally turns upwards into a grin, your quick, sharp wit, your warm heart, and your eyes that dance with laughter and just a little mischief. You will be missed, and you will be remembered. Love ya forever, Cousin Judy

I only meant Don a few times, he was my sister Carol’s neighbor in Manistee, but those few times were a pleasure,he made you feel like you were a old friend immediately, and he was the best neighbor ever to my sister, she will miss him, as will I when I visit her.

Ron and family My deepest sympathy in the loss of one so obviously loved and respected. My thoughts are with you.

To Ron and all the family, Teresa and I want to offer our heartfelt condolences and to say that you are in our thoughts and prayers today.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time.

Don was one of my best friends. We had some wild & crazy times together.Don was a fun guy to be with. When we were together we would share a lot of laughs. I will remember those fun memories. Peace be with him and the family. Love ya, Craig

I first met Don while attending SWTSU. He was living in a large home with seven other guys. It was quite a college “big house”. Good memories. I enjoyed competing with Don on just about everything from foosball to tennis. He was good at many things. I’ll miss him. Our prayers are extended to his family.

Don will be missed by many, myself included. He could always make me laugh and was a great friend. My deepest sympathy to his family.

To Our Very Special Nephew and Cousin Don: Oh the fun we had…you were such a hoot! So Blessed and thankful we had you with us the past nine years and so wish it could have been alot longer. Thanks for taking such good care of “our cabin” and “your home” which we know you truly loved. So many memories will be with us forever. Don’t worry..”I’ll still be playing “your machines” and I know you’ll be by my side. You have no idea how much we will all miss you…No more suffering.. Always in our hearts… Always remembered…. Love, Love ya forever…… To Bob & Shirley, Jack & Katie, Ron & Sandy and Cheryl.. Wish we could be there with you at this very sad time..In our thoughts, prayers and hearts always. Love to all……..

I met Donald in Michigan during the summer of 1979 while he was on vacation from Texas. He walked into the happy hour with his cousin Lynda and I thought he was the most handsome man that I had every seen. He said back then that he had always wanted to live in Michigan. To quote a movie, he had me at Hello. I moved to Texas and shared the 1980s and into the 90s with Donald. We went back to Michigan every year and every year he wished we could move there. Im so happy that he was able to spend the last nine plus years back there; we could never find a lake or beach in Texas that could compare to Lake Michigan. Donald loved the beach, along with music, movies, Cowboys, and great food. He was a family person. He not only loved his family, he liked them. I have fond memories of times with the Masten family, especially Christmas Eve at his Mom, & Pops house with all of the extended family. He looked forward to the family Poker games and playing the home versions of Family Feud & the Newlywed games with his brothers & their wives. We had such great times at the Houston Renaissance Festival that we made it an annual event. We always made it to the 4th of July partys at Cheryls or one of the brothers houses. We spent many summer vacations in Michigan where wed party so hard that wed have to rest every other day and Don would ask is this an ON day or OFF day. Then, a few months ago, after almost ten years had gone by, I answered the phone with no name coming up on the caller ID to hear Don here with this horrible news. Im only 58 he said, I hated it for him as much as he hated it for himself. I loved him.

I met ‘Donnie’ around the summer of 1965 or 66, while picking cherries at his uncle and aunt’s farm in Ludington, MI. His cousin, Judy, and I were good friends and I was out on their farm making some money for school. We all loved hanging out and harassing each other, throwing as many cherries at each other as we picked it seemed! Donnie taught us ‘pig latin’,and a little spanish, too boot…some few choice words of course! Judy, Cheryl and I were always running away from these boys, esp. Donnie, cause they all could throw some hard-hittin’ cherries. Well, one day, we were running away and me not fast enough, fell and broke my collar bone. It hurt, but what was really cool about the whole thing was that I got out of picking cherries in the hot summer heat. Never felt too bad about that. I only met Donnie that one summer, but I have always remembered the ‘cousin (and cousins)’ from Texas. My heartfelt thoughts are with all of you, his family members. May you all find peace within.

Dearest Donnie I will always remember your smile and laugh, from the crazy fun times at TR and SWTSU, especially at my house, you were such a great friend! You always amazed me with that great attitude, your artistic abilities, and simply, the love you showed to all that knew you. You will never be forgotten, that blond hair that adorned your handsome face that glowed with that fantastic grin was the first thing everyone noticed, and believe me, I will always remember the times when you would just sit beside me and ask how I could always have a smile on my face…….when, at the same time, you were smiling too! I will love the fabulous frienship you showed those who you loved, and loved you in return…… Goodbye, for only awhile my friend, I will no doubt see you on the flip side! To your family, Cheryl was the closest of your siblings that I had the pleasure and great fun to know…..God bless you Cheryl,I love you much, and God be with and give comfort to all your family! Love to all Karen Geiger

We miss you and love you Uncle Don! You were a great man and you knew how to make everybody laugh. I wish I could have spent more time with you before you passed but the times I did get to spend with you were fun! God bless you. You will be missed. “That dog will hunt!”

I met the CAPTAIN at the Arlington Elks lodge 24 years ago. I think we hit it off because I was from Michigan and having a tough time adjusting to Texas. Oh the arguments we would have over the Cowboys, but then he would smile, give me a bear hug and I would laugh everyone knew all was good. I guess Don let my dad win golf at the Elks Lodge because he never lost other than that time, what a guy:-) Loved the time we spent teaching “euchre”, and walking through your woods. As the song says only the good die young, guess that is true. I will always think of Don when we visit the lighthouse and lake he loved to take photos of. SEE YA ON THE FLIP SIDE CAPTAIN Kris

Don was a very loving and kind person, a free spirit with wit and humor that kept everyone laughing. He will be missed.

Don My caretaker,dog sitter,house sitter best friiend. When I broke my shoulder he was here everyday and bringing me food,and played with Maggie and Mya,{dogs} and they loved him. They would sit in the front yard and bark for Don to come over and play. The grandkids loved him when he came over to have dinner with him, a food fight usually happened. What a mess but they always cleaned up. He and Jack rescued me out in the woods LOST one nite with Maggie, Don walked out there and found me and this was atfer he was ill. I will miss him , but I am so glad he was in my life for 9 years, he made a better place! My sincere condolences to the family,

My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Masten family for their loss.The memories of hanging out with Donnie,from the early days of going to TAG,following him around to hear him play drums,to the times we lived together in San Marcos and S.A., his sense of humor and wit was something I loved to be around.Don was one of my best friends and I’m going to miss him greatly.

I met Don a few years back in Manistee at a get together. He kept my husband and I in stitches well after midnight, and had me laughing many times after that. I will always remember his wonderful sense of humor and kind spirit, and how he always looked out for our dear friend Carol. He will be missed by many. My sincere condolences go out to his family and freinds.

I grew up around Donnie as a kid because of his friendship with Lance and was always treated well and accepted by him. Even ended up living down the street from him in San Marcos and would hang out. Will never forget his sense of humor and cocky grin. My condolences to his family.

Donnie ate quite a few meals at my house over the years we grew up. He was one of the funniest people I have ever known. Though I didn’t have any contact personally with Donnie since I joined the Air Force in 79. I will always remember him with fondness and appreciate his quick wit and humor. He always left the crowd laughing. Take care ole buddy and God keep you in his arms. You will be missed. Doug

Don was a father to me, i loved him so much. Most of my greatest memories involve spending time with Don. i remember every saturday i would caddy for him at the elk’s lodge and swim and hang out with the guys, who all ended up like family to me. Then he moved to Michigan and we had so many great times when I would come to visit. Don loved Michigan and made sure I saw all the cool sights and his childhood hangouts. The last time i saw Don was his last visit to arlington. We spent as much time together as we could and he took me to the casino for the first time, we had such a great time together. I am going to miss Don so much, he was such an important person and influence in my life. I’ll see you in heaven Don I love you.

Don was a prince among men, unlike anyone I had ever met. He was an open, honest, caring, non judgmental man who always put others before himself, even toward the end. For the past 6 years I had been lucky enough to be able to call Don my best friend. We spoke almost everyday, sometimes for hours on end. We laughed, we cried, we shared our lives. I last spoke with Don after he arrived in Michigan for the last time; little did I know then that it would be our last conversation. Up until the phone was disconnected I would sometimes call just to hear his voice on the answering machine. My only regret is not having had one final goodbye, just one more day with him. He was a talented Graphic Artist who had a strong love for his family and friends, golf, the casino, and the beach. When the phone rings I still reach for it thinking its him, missing him so much it hurts. DTM, God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you. I love you. Memories last a lifetime.

To Aunt Lois and all of Don’s Family, I will surely miss talking to Don. We’ve spent years conversing about life, graphic designs and whatever struck at the moment. He was indeed a good friend to me, and it is my hope I was to him as well. I will sadly miss him, but will always carry his humor, and the upside of his personality in my heart. What a great guy he was. One person I truly enjoyed getting to know and getting to love as a friend. My deepest sympathies,

My condolences to D T’s family.I had know DT for 8 years.We met on the internet and became good friends.Double Trouble is what i called him or DT.I loved him dearly and will miss so much.He was one of a kind.

I worked with Don at Corporate Graphics for many years. I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news today. I had just tried to contact him via email about 6 months ago…I didn’t even know he was sick. I feel so honored that I got to be friends with Don. I missed him when he moved to Michigan, but was lucky enough to keep track of him via email until the past year. My thoughts are with the family… Don Mon… you were a dear, sweet man – and I thank you for being my friend.

A year ago today you drifted from this life Felt my heart being torn apart, it cut just like a knife Death dealt its fatal blow, but the memories survive Within my heart and soul youll always be alive I miss you!