Donald E. DeHay, Sr., affectionately known to many as "Big Don," passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 88. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

Donald was born on April 4, 1937, in Tomball, Texas, to the late William B. and Helen Froehlich DeHay. He was a loving husband to his surviving wife Linda DeHay. He is also survived by son Donald E. DeHay, Jr. (Lisa), daughters Patricia C. Embree (Rick), and Kim Henderson (Randy), his brothers Jerry DeHay and Charles DeHay, and brother-in-law Leonard Burts. Big Don was the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Tammy Connolly, his grandson Boomer Connolly, his sisters Dorothy Ashley (Charles) and Katherine Burts.

Big Don was an avid enthusiast of cars and firearms and had a keen interest in the stock market that kept his mind sharp. He started each day with his trusted newspaper, enjoying the daily ritual of reading it cover-to-cover. He loved staying informed and would often share a clipped joke or an interesting anecdote from the day's headlines with family and friends, always ready to make others smile with his wit and perspective.

A funeral service to celebrate Donald's life will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Klein Funeral Home – Tomball (1400 West Main, Tomball, TX 77375) with a Visitation starting at 1:00 PM and the Burial to follow at Salem Lutheran Cemetery after the Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Donald's memory.