Don Paul Hegi, Sr. (Plainview)

Don Paul Hegi, Sr., 84, a life-long resident of Petersburg, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 after a lengthy illness. A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 8, 2015 at the Main Street Church of Christ in Petersburg, TX following a private burial in Petersburg Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, August 7, 2015 from 6 to 8 P.M. at the funeral home. Don was born April 21, 1931 on the family farm near Petersburg to John Jacob Hegi and Mary Lucy Johnson Hegi as the second of three sons. He graduated from Petersburg High School in 1948, and then graduated with a B.S. in Agronomy from Texas A&M in 1952. While at A&M, he met his wife, Joan Ruth Rupel, whose father was a professor there, and they were married May 31, 1952 in College Station. Shortly after their marriage, Don served as a First Lieutenant with the Army Transportation Corps in the Korean conflict during 1953-54. After his military service, he and Joan returned to Petersburg where he farmed for the next 40 years, raising sheep, cotton, corn, and soybeans. They raised their four children in the Petersburg community and school, and each of them followed in Don’s footsteps with degrees from Texas A&M. Don was a loving father who taught his children by his quiet example of faith, integrity, humility, and hard work. His beloved Joan died after 35 years of marriage. Don was a faithful Christian, who served for many years as a deacon and an elder at the Main Street Church of Christ in Petersburg. He was dedicated to community service in Petersburg and the surrounding area, and was active in several organizations including the School Board, the Petersburg Co-op Gin Board, the Cotton Compress Board, the 4-H Club, and the Lions Club. Don also successfully led the effort to integrate the Petersburg schools in the early 1960’s. Don was greatly blessed by his second marriage to Mazie Lou Brookshire Becker of Floydada on January 14, 1989. Don and his darling Mazie enjoyed 26 happy years together as their combined families continued to grow. “Grandpa Don” and “Mimi” made sure that their grandchildren and great-grandchildren always had a place to hunt Easter eggs, play ping-pong, and learn about farm life. Don and Mazie enjoyed traveling together, and they took long road trips through different regions of the United States each year until they had visited all 48 contiguous states. Don made sure they never missed a point of interest or an arts-and-crafts festival! During the last several years, they especially enjoyed spending summers and falls at their cabin in northern New Mexico, where Don often served as preacher and teacher at the Cleveland Church of Christ in Mora. Don was a spirited competitor in everything from tennis to “42” to bridge. He loved to sing church hymns, cowboy tunes, and patriotic songs. Don kept an abundant garden and orchard where he grew roses, pecans, grapes, and other fruit. Don was also a talented blacksmith, like his Swiss grandfather. Not only could he fix broken equipment, but he also welded beautiful iron sculptures from old farm implements and chain links. Don was a serious Bible student who was always well-prepared as a Bible class teacher. He was a kind and loyal friend, ever willing to help those in need. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Hal Glenn Hegi, his first wife Joan, his daughter Lois Joan Hegi, and Mazie’s son Stephen Becker. Don is survived by his devoted wife Mazie; by his Hegi children, Don Paul Hegi, Jr. (Karen) of Lubbock, Charlotte Hegi Young (Jim) of Levelland, Mark Hegi (Cheryl) of Petersburg, and Alan Hegi (Jan) of Fort Worth; and by his Becker children, Lynn Becker (Kim) of Magnolia, Neal Becker (Lisa) of Lubbock, and Julee Pratt Becker (Stephen’s widow) of Lake Ransom Canyon. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren: Ben Hegi (DeAnn), Jeremy Hegi (Vanessa), Kim Hegi, Nathan Young (Michelle), David Young, John Hegi (Elizabeth), Sarah Hegi Simpson (Jordan), Kyle Hegi (Lacey), Lexie Hegi, Emily Hegi, Kate Hegi, Brandi Becker Foster (Christopher), Chelsea Becker Sowards (Alec), Allie Becker Cummings (Kyle), Mason Becker (Megan), Madison Becker Hisey (Ben), Taylor Becker (Cortney), Alston Becker (Jesalyn), Danielle Pratt, and Devyn Pratt. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way). Don is also survived by his older brother, Arthur Earl Hegi (Betty) of Kansas City, Missouri, and by his sister-in-law, Greta Brookshire Seitz (Tom) of Victoria. The family wants to thank the kind and supportive staff of the Library of Legacies Assisted Living Center in Idalou and of Gentiva Hospice for their tender care of Don. Memorial contributions may be made to the Main Street Church of Christ in Petersburg, the Children’s Home of Lubbock, and the Petersburg Public Library.