Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


The Teague Chronicle
Dec. 24, 2009 issue

DON TOLAR

Funeral services for Don Tolar were held Saturday, December 19, 2009, at the
Fairfield Church of Christ with Mr. John Simmons and Mr. Jason Schick 
officiating. Interment followed at Fairfield Cemetery. John Stevens led a 
congregational singing of "Precious Memories" and "In the Garden." Kristen 
Threadgill, a cousin, sang "Amazing Grace."

Don was born on March 26, 1934, at Ennis, Texas, to Ernest Glen Tolar, Sr. and
Deane McComb Tolar. He graduated from Ennis High School in 1951. In 1953 he 
joined the U.S. air Force for four years, three of which were spent in the South
Pacific as an aircraft and engine mechanic. During that time he had the
experience of repairing an airplane engine mid-flight in a trip over the Pacific
Ocean. Another time he had the opportunity to do maintenance on President 
Eisenhower's plane. After being honorably discharged in 1957, he attended 
Navarro Jr. College and then graduated from San Houston State University in 
1962. Mr. Tolar taught math and chemistry at Fairfield High School from 1962 
until 1975. During this time he was affectionately known to many of his 
students as "Sarge." He introduced Mrs. Allen's Homemaking classes to the new
taste of pizza, which they made from scratch. Mr. Tolar worked at Nucor Steel 
from 1975 until 1988 when he retired to the farm. He planted and cared for a 
peach orchard over ten years which was renowned for the quality of its peaches.
His favorite hobby was gardening and sharing the produce with others. He died
December 16, 2009, at East Texas Medical in Fairfield, Texas.

Mr. Tolar is survived by his wife of 50 years Margaret Ivy Tolar of Fairfield; 
a son David and wife Charlene of Corsicana; a daughter Rebecca Spradlin; 
grandchildren Benjamin and Hannah and one sister-in-law Priscilla Tolar of 
Ennis as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.

Pallbearers were Tom Tolar, Parker Tolar, Steve Spradlin, Tim Vande Streek, 
Jonathan Vande Streek, Blake Ivy, Andy Don Emmons, and Michael Bookout. 
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. John Keller, Jesse Earl Jones, Tom Anderson, 
Glen Tolar, Travis Tolar, Chris Tolar, Wayne Vande Streek, Tony Allen, Guy 
Murden, Clois Mullen, Philip Ivy, Jimmy cooper, Macky Ivy and Sydney Ivy.

To view online obituary or to leave the family a personal tribute, please 
www.cappschapel.com. Capps Memorial Chapel of Fairfield was in charge of 
the arrangements.