Donald (Coach) Eugene Driscoll

Donald Driscoll (known to everyone as Coach),of Groesbeck, passed away at Windsor Healthcare Residence on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at age 84.Visitation will be held on Monday, July 30, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home  Chapel.A "Celebration" of his life will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck, with Reverend Steve Nance officiating and with Dennis Wilson and Jim Longbotham also speaking.   Mrs. Ginger Fritz will be the vocalist.   Burial will immediately follow at the Thornton Cemetery.   Masonic Lodge #354 of Groesbeck will provide the Masonic Service at the gravesite.Donald Eugene Driscoll was born October 21st, 1933 in Shiro, Texas to Jesse E. and Maudie R. Driscoll.  Mr. Driscoll was a life-long educator who saw the great potential in every one of his students. He touched hundreds of lives during his career ensuring those students were successful in school as well as in life. Mr. Driscoll attended Huntsville Public Schools and graduated in 1952 where he was a four sport and highly decorated athlete. After graduation, he attended Del Mar Junior College on a full football and basketball scholarship.  At the end of his sophomore year, he enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean conflict.  He was stationed in Japan at Camp Zama quarterbacking the Camp Zama Ramblers and working in the message center. Upon completion of his stint in the military, Don used his G.I. Bill to attend Sam Houston State Teacher’s College (now Sam Houston State University).  While there, he quarterbacked the 1956 undefeated Bearkat football team that won the Refrigerator Bowl. During his time at Sam Houston, he met and married the love of his life, Kay Tilley. Donald began his teaching/coaching career at Halletsville High School.  After five years in Halletsville, he got the head football and athletic director’s job at Groesbeck High School.  He moved his wife Kay and his three daughters, Karla, Karen, and Kelli to Groesbeck. Five years later he took a similar position at Karnes City High School.  In 1976, he moved into administration as the assistant principal of Floresville High School.  Don would later step in to become the Floresville High School principal. In 1983, Don and Kay returned to Groesbeck where he finished his educational career as the Groesbeck Junior High Principal, retiring in 1991. Over the next 25 years, Donald served the Limestone County and Groesbeck community in many ways. He was secretary of the Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce, a driver for the Limestone County Senior Citizen’s Center, and a member of the First United Methodist Church Council.  Don’s other activities included:  Providence Hospice of Mexia (10+ years), President of the Limestone County Crime Stoppers, Limestone County Appraisal Board member, Lion’s Club President, and the Groesbeck School Board.  He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion.   Don was well-known in the community for his fundraising abilities.He was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Maudie Driscoll, his siblings Jesse, Clara, Bessie, Thomas, Betty Ann, and Maudie, his in-laws Lester and Macelle Tilley and his sister-in-law Barbara Burleson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kay and his daughters Karla (Lee) Ortiz, Karen Vogel and Kelli Hammonds.  His grandchildren Kristin (Todd) Malm, Kris (Alta) Vogel, Leandro Ortiz, III and Kayla Vogel. One brother, David Driscoll, and brothers-in-law, David Tilley, Jerry Tilley, Dan Burleson and numerous nieces and nephews.The family would like to thank Virginia's Hospice and Windsor Healthcare Residence for their loving care.