Jimmie "Don" Steele's Obituary
Jimmie “Don” Steele was born September 24, 1948 in Jacksonville, TX and passed away peacefully at Select Specialty Hospital in Longview following a heart attack and mitral regurgitation at the age of 75 years.
He was the son of James B. Steele and Cynthia Steele Wellborn who both preceded him in death. Jimmie Don attended Hallsville schools from first grade until he graduated in 1967. He then graduated from Kilgore Jr college and attended Stephen F. Austin University.
Jimmie Don was exceptionally committed to his family – wife Terry Jones Steele and son Aaron Steele. After a short dating period, he married the love of his life, Terry, in May 1974. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage in May 2024. His only child, Aaron was the focus of many of his youth coaching activities and he adored his two grandkids, Ryder and Rylee, often watching them play various sports.
Jimmie Don spent his work career in supporting the gas and oil industry, first with Southern Gas Company and then with East Texas Salt Water Disposal Company. He was certified with the Texas Railroad Commission in state gas pipeline operators. In addition to his career, he was very active in the community serving as Director of the Hallsville Lions Club, as well as a member and President of the “H” Association. He actively participated in United Way, March of Dimes, American Heart Fund, and city and church softball leagues. Jimmie Don and Terry are long-time members of the Morton Baptist Church in Diana, TX.
Jimmie Don was an avid outdoorsman who loved all sorts of hunting and playing and coaching a variety of sports. One of his greatest pleasures was coaching youth teams that his son, Aaron, played on.
He was dedicated to teaching the boys not only the skill of the game, but also how to be kind, fair and respectful to teammates, opponents and everyone they encounter. While he never got to realize his childhood dream of playing high school football because of a heart defect from birth, he excelled in basketball, baseball and track events. If he wasn’t hunting, coaching or playing sports you could often find him at classic car shows where he loved to show his shiny black 1955 Chevy.
Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents James B. Steele and Cynthia Steele Wellborn (David Wellborn). He is survived by his loving wife, Terry Jones Steele, son Aaron Steele (Tracy), grandchildren Ryder and Rylee Steele, sisters Ava Steele Porter (Alan), Cynthia Ann Steele Gragg (Jim), Martha Sue Steele Smith (Randy), Judy Wellborn Acker (Dale), Linda Wellborn Mount (Jimmy), brother Gary Wellborn (Karmen) and sister-in-law Vicky Jones Stanfield.
The visitation will be held from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Rader Funeral home, 1617 Judson Road, Longview, TX on Sunday, March 17, 2024. The funeral service will be on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Morton Baptist Church, 22177 State Highway 154, Diana, TX
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hallsville Baseball Association at P.O. Box 13, Hallsville, TX 75650 or Venmo @HallsvilleBaseballAssociation.
What’s your fondest memory of Jimmie "Don"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jimmie "Don"?
Share a story where Jimmie "Don"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jimmie "Don" you’ll never forget.
How did Jimmie "Don" make you smile?