Donald Whale Greaves ("Don"), aged 95, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2019 in Georgetown, Texas. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Don was born on November 28, 1923 to Sidney D Greaves and Ruby Whale Greaves in Durant, Oklahoma, and he was raised in Dallas, Texas along with his sister Claire. In 1941, when Don was 17, Don began his Freshman year of college at SMU. During his Freshman year, the US entered WWII so, in 1942, Don enlisted in the US Navy. In the US Navy, Don completed two years of officer training at the US Naval Academy Midshipmen School (1942-44) followed by two years of active duty in the Pacific as a Lieutenant JG on the USS Menard (1944-1946). During active duty in the US Navy, Don fought in the Invasion of Okinawa. In 1946, Don was honorably discharged from the US Navy, returned to SMU, completed his college education, and graduated from SMU with a Degree in Business in 1947.

After graduating from SMU, Don married Betty Slicker and settled in Dallas. There, he briefly worked for a large insurance company (1947-48) and then worked as a partner at the Sidney D Greaves & Son insurance agency (1948-65). During this time period, Don and Betty had two children: Donna and Larry. In 1965, Sidney retired, at which time Don and another Dallas insurance agent, Dave Noel, became partners, combined their agencies, and formed a new insurance agency: Noel Greaves. This agency grew significantly over the years with Don assuming the role of president of the agency. Don worked at Noel Greaves (which was later renamed Noel, Greaves, & Strother) from 1965 until he retired in 1987. During this time period, Don and Betty divorced (in 1970), Don married Betty Lou Pickett Reeves (in 1975), and Betty Lou passed away (in 1987).

In 1988, after retiring from Noel Greaves & Strother, Don married Donna White Campbell and spent the remaining years of his life with his wife Donna. From 1988-2000, Don and his wife Donna lived partly at their farm in Mount Vernon and partly at their condo in Dallas (alternating between the two places). In 2000, they moved to Georgetown, Texas, where they lived until Don passed away in 2019.

Don served his community by contributing to a number of organizations, often in a leadership capacity, including the following:

• Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce (President) 1954 "Rookie of The Year"
• Dallas Kiwanis Club
• HOA for his condo (President)
• Dallas Library Association (Board of Directors)
• American Association of Insurance Agents (President)
• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (President)
• Senior University of Georgetown, Texas (Board of Directors)
• Kappa Sigma fraternity (President)

Don connected easily with people and was well liked. He had a kind and easy-going disposition; he was open-minded, thoughtful, and wise; and he had an upbeat, inspirational  attitude with an enjoyable sense of humor. He always had interests that captured his enthusiasm. In childhood, he enjoyed creative activities (art, music, cartooning, magic tricks), as well as the normal childhood activities. In adolescence and young adulthood, he enjoyed big band music, playing the saxophone in his own band and socializing with his many friends. In midlife, he enjoyed jazz and became interested in theology, forming lifetime friendships with professors at Perkins School of Theology and, as an outgrowth of this interest, leading a Community Dialogue series at his church (Northaven Methodist Church in Dallas). Later in midlife, he became interested in history, classical music, and nature. In retirement, he felt that his real education had begun. He absorbed a multitude of books and papers that he felt were written by genius, especially books in classical literature, religion, and philosophy, and he attended classes that were related to these interests at Senior University.

Don is survived by his wife Donna White Greaves; daughter Donna Greaves Smith Skibbie, along with her mother Betty Slicker Greaves; grandchildren Dylan Smith (Melody), Alexia Smith Ferraro (Andres), Austin Greaves, and Sophie Greaves (Eugenia); and great-grandson. He is also survived by his wife Donna's children Lynne Scroggins and Kim Cavender (Phil); grandchildren Matthew Brewer, Breigh Cavender Baker (Austin), Hailey Scroggins, and Zachary Scroggins; and great-granddaughter. He is pre-deceased by his son Lawrence "Larry" Greaves, father Sidney Greaves, mother Ruby Greaves, sister Claire Evans, and former wife Betty Lou Pickett Greaves.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 24th, 2019 in the Chapel of the Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX  78633.

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.