In loving memory of

Donald Anthony Dinges

February 6, 1940 - August 15, 2016
Donald Anthony Dinges

Donald Anthony Dinges

Born: February 6, 1940
Died: August 15, 2016
Age: 76
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   Donald Anthony Dinges, age 76, of Amarillo, TX, formerly of Sac City, IA, passed away on Monday, August 15, 2016, at his sister’s home in Lake View, IA. 

   Donald, or as some knew him “Big Red,” was born on February 6, 1940, in Carroll, IA, the son of William Paul and Matilda Elizabeth (Snyder) Dinges.  He was baptized and confirmed in the catholic faith and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Parrish in Sac City and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Amarillo, TX.  Don graduated from Lake View High School.  Following graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Army, serving from August 1960 through August 1963 as a medic.

   Don was united in marriage to JoAnn Kloucek in 1969 in Sioux City, IA, and then later moved to Amarillo, TX.  To this union four children were born: Scott, Steve, Kim, and Jill. 

   In the 1960 and 1970’s Don worked in construction, and was a foreman for IBP Nationally.  Following his divorce, Don found love again and married Sharron Kay (Craig) Dinges.  His family was complete with the addition of her children: Greg, Sandra, and Stephanie.  They made their home in Sac City.

   Don became an owner/operator truck driver, traveling all over the country, along with his wife Kay.  They enjoyed many friends and family get-togethers and excursions with their boat.

   Don moved back to Texas to be closer to his children.  He was a great dad and grandfather, who never knew a stranger, and made many friends throughout the country.  He enjoyed working and playing and lived life to the fullest.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

   Survivors include his children: Michael Scott (Jenny) Dinges of Clyde, TX, Kim (Sergio) Muniz of Amarillo, TX, and Jill (Luis) Tenorio of Amarillo, TX; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sisters: Mona Lou Pugh of Wall Lake, IA, Ruth Mohr of Sac City, IA, Alice (Ronnie) Harmeyer of Goldfield, IA, and Patsy (Roger) King of Lake View, IA; and many nieces and nephews.  Other survivors include Kay’s children: Greg (Leslie) Allen of Sac City, Sandra (Fred) Dawkins of Marion, AR, Stephanie (Tom) Crabb of Sac City and all their children.

   Don was preceded in death by his parents; son Steve on November 5, 2015; granddaughter Sophie Dinges; sister Donna Brinker; brother David Dinges; and brothers-in-law: Wayne “Wimp” Mohr and Kenneth Pugh.

 

SERVICES

Funeral:10:30 a.m.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Sac City, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Father John McGuirk
Father Larry McCarty
VISITATION
Prior to the service
Beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Rosary at 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Sac City, Iowa
INTERMENT
Wall Lake Cemetery
Wall Lake, Iowa

Condolences

Monday, August 22, 2016 at 2:34 PM
“So sorry to hear of Don's passing. Our sympathy to all of the family. Our prayers are with you.”
- John and Cindy Schwarzkopf
Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 4:17 PM
“I wish to express my condolences to Don’s family and especially his sisters who were always very kind and supportive towards me.

Don and I were classmates through Junior High and High School. We did not see a lot of each other, but I always considered him a friend. I have many memories of Don.

Don was such a great athlete. He was not very tall, but muscular and rugged. He was the star running back of the football team and a guard on the basketball team. The coaches liked him for his skill and dedication. I remember watching basketball practice when Don aggressively retrieved a ball that was heading out of bounds. The coach told him that he liked to see that kind of drive in a player. I told Don about that incident once, but he didn’t remember it.

Don was a natural leader. Classmates of both genders tended to flock to him, but he was never pretentious or cocky. He had a quiet charisma that came naturally. He was a great storyteller; our class reunions were always livelier when Don attended. In school, Don would occasionally get into various kinds of harmless mischief, which endeared him to the class even more. I was envious of his free-spirited approach to life. I remember he usually wore engineer boots and jeans.

In many ways we were quite different, but we respected and admired each other. He was cool, athletic, and popular and I was the awkward, non-athlete who did such weird things as ham radio. Don once told me I was the brightest person he ever met; that statement says more about Don’s good nature than about his discernment, but it was a typically kind thing for him to say.

I am deeply saddened that I will not see you again in this life, Don. I wish we had been able to spend more time together as adults. I thank you for the confidence you gave me. All of us from the LVHS class of 1959 will miss your wonderful presence.
”
- Stuart Lilie
Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 3:12 PM
“Sorry 2 learn of don's passing always remember him with a good joke or story 2 tell when he saw me may he rest in peace ”
- Charlie "tuna" Schnirring
Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 9:57 AM
“I'm so sorry to learn of Donald's passing. The picture here is the way I remember him. We had such fun at the Dinges home back in the day. Sympathy and condolences to all his family.”
- Darlene McConnell Swanson
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