Roll Call Tribute

Donald Franklin Wessels

August 28, 1933 - October 17, 2022

Donald (Don) Franklin Wessels, 89 years old, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2022 in Houston, TX. He was born on August 28, 1933 in Austin, TX to George and Louise Wessels. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 1956. He was a true Aggie to the core, as in he drove maroon vehicles and had maroon wallpaper at least once in his lifetime.

Don proudly served in the Army and spent many interesting years in Army Intelligence and is listed on the Honor Roll in the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA. He was also commissioned as an Admiral in the Texas Navy in 1977.

In the early ‘70s, he settled in Dickinson, TX where he was an executive loan officer for American National Insurance in Galveston, TX, working in the only high-rise office building in Galveston.

He married and was a devoted father to his two sons and daughter and a great friend to many in the Gulf Coast region.

Moving to Houston, Don became a successful commercial property developer and real estate manager in Houston and Galveston, building everything from strip shopping centers to offices particularly focused on small condominium and apartment complexes, providing housing for many people.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, George and Louise Wessels. He leaves behind his very special companion of 15 years, Lupe Diaz and her son CJ along with his son, Don Jr, daughter, Darlene and her husband, Dave, his son Eric and his wife Karen, three grandchildren, Austin, Eric and Paige along with a great granddaughter, Willow. He also leaves behind his sister Kathy and her husband Danny along with numerous friends and extended family members including his sister-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.